Southern League South & West Division
Sholing 1
Cinderford Town 0
CINDERFORD more than matched the league leaders throughout this game, but lost out to a disputed 43rd minute goal.
Barry Mason fired the only goal of the game, but Town's players claimed Kevin Gibbons handled the ball in the build-up.
Cinderford keeper Ben John said: "No doubts about it, it was handball. A photographer behind the goal even got a picture of it.
"We played unbelievably well, we took them to the dry cleaners.
"The only frustrating thing is we're not getting the points we should be getting. We should have beaten Paulton and drawn with Mangotsfield, and we should have got something today."
The game was fought out in midfield, but Town sub Sam O'Sullivan had a great chance to level things up late in the game.
O'Sullivan, on for the injured O'Connor, rounded the Sholing defence but blasted over the bar when a pass across the box would have left a tap-in.
Sholing keeper Lee Webber also did well to deny Billing and Kris Miller.
The home side played the last 20 minutes without a striker as the visitors pressed.
Nick McCootie, Tom Billing and Lewis Sommers all proved a handful.
John added: "They (Sholing) got their goal and knew how to kill the game off.
"Consistency is the key to us, but we've shown we can compete with the top sides. The spirit is as good as ever and there's a real buzz around the club. There's massive potential here."