BEN Strevens thought Eastleigh were hard done by as they lost to Barnet following a late red card.

Jack Taylor put Barnet ahead on 16 minutes and the game appeared to be heading for a draw when Jack McKnight equalised on 69 minutes.

However, Sam Smart was sent off for a second bookable offence with six minutes remaining for diving and Barnet sub Shaquile Coulthirst scored the winner deep in stoppage time.

Strevens said: “My initial thoughts right now are that it’s a bad decision.

“I will speak to the ref and the assistants about it and I’m honest enough to hold my hands up if I’m wrong.

“Everybody I have spoken to from different angles is of the exact same position that it’s a penalty and not only that but sending the lad off as well for getting fouled. He’s suspended for Tuesday night and we’ve already got injuries and to have the lad out suspended that he didn’t deserve is a blow.

“It should have been a penalty, we lose the game and then we have the lad suspended. It’s a tough one to take.”