INCENSED Stourport Swifts boss Dave Titterton will write to the Football Association after claiming he had seen "the most incompetent refereeing display in 17 years".

Titterton was banished from the dug-out and midfielder Leon Blake sent off as Swifts lost 3-2 to a dramatic fight-back from new Dr Martens Western Division leaders Merthyr Tydfil.

The Walshes Meadow side were 2-0 up on Tuesday but the tide changed with a controversial penalty decision and the dismissals.

Bilston official Andy Garratt sent off Titterton after he kicked a ball into the advertising hoardings follow Blake's red card for violent conduct.

Titterton fumed: "The referee changed the course of the game. Not even Merthyr could understand where the penalty came from.

"Then he said Leon raised his arms but both players did. If one was sent off, the other should have been too.

"I have been in the game 17 years. It was the most incompetent performance from a referee I have ever seen and I told him so.

"I'm writing to the FA and I hope they will take it into account so we don't get him again. I will put in an appeal for myself and for Leon."

With striker Michael Moore out for several weeks with a groin strain, Titterton has swooped to sign former West Bromwich Albion trainee Richard Ball from Racing Club Warwick.

He has also put in a seven-day approach for Oldbury's left-sided centre-back Phil Male.

Swifts entertain Cinderford, who drew 3-3 at Weston in midweek, on Saturday in the Western Division.

Titterton added: "The team is playing how I want them to and it's been great to watch.

"We have to take belief and confidence from these performances. We have outplayed Taunton and Merthyr.

"Cinderford's another tricky game but we are at home and have had some fantastic support.

"We must have an extra 30 or 40 people down at the Walshes and it's great to see."

Defender Parfait Medou-Otye's move to Chester is yet to materialise after last week's reserve game was postponed.