Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division rivals and neighbours Bashley and Gosport Borough are embroiled in a….

….bitter war of words over their controversial FA Cup tie.

Boro have refused to back the New Forest club’s bid to restage the clash after Bash were denied a potential winner at 2-2 in their First Qualifying Round replay when Gosport keeper Nathan Ashmore kicked the ball through a hole in the side of the net.

Referee Will Bull pointed for a corner before Gosport ran out 3-2 winners in extra-time.

The decision led to Bash chairman Richard Millbery writing to Boro counterpart Mark Hook requesting support to get the match restaged, but Hook declined, stating that questioning the decision “would go against the Respect campaign” and undermine the referee.

Millbery told the Daily Echo: “We’re not particularly impressed. I was hopeful of a different response and I feel very let down. Referring to the Respect campaign is really out of order and the only right thing would be for them to write to the FA and ask for a rematch.

“The FA can’t change the referee’s decision, it was down to Gosport to do that, but we need to put it behind us now and get over it.”

Bash boss Frank Gray agreed with his chairman and was scathing in his criticism of Gosport’s players on the night, adding: “From where we’re standing, it’s not the referee who should be questioned, it is their players.

“They are the ones who appealed for a corner when they knew it was a goal, so if that’s not a lack of respect then what is? It’s a difficult one to take.”

In response, Hook said: “It is not for players, managers or club officials to challenge refereeing decisions. I accept that the referee made the wrong decision, but it was an honest decision.

“They have accused us of all sorts with regard to the hole in the net and I think a lot is being made of this now. The day that Bashley players stop appealing for everything, perhaps Frank Gray will be in a position to make those claims.

“I understand where they are coming from, but I think if they were in our position they would do exactly the same thing we have done by refusing a rematch.”

Boro boss Alex Pike added: “Bashley are looking at it through rose-tinted glasses. The referee immediately gave a corner so it was not a case of my players trying to change the referee’s decision.

“This was put to bed two days after the game and, to be fair, if Bashley keep pressing for a rematch then they are going to bring the game into disrepute. I don’t see what their gripe is.

“The decision was beyond belief and up until now I have been full of praise for Bashley but I’m losing respect for them. They are twisting versions of events and misreporting what happened.”

Referee Bull told the Daily Echo that he gave a corner straight away, a decision he stands by and was supported by his assistant at the time, but could not comment further on the incident.