Edgar Davids believes the referee’s performance in Barnet’s 1-0 defeat against Aldershot Town “was not up to the normal level". 

The Shots went ahead early in the second half through a Craig Reid penalty after a shot was judged to have struck the arm of Bees centre-half Davids Stephens in the area.

Two minutes later it got worse for the Bees as Jon Nurse was sent off after a foul on Aldershot’s Dani Lopez.

Despite the man disadvantage, Barnet continued to create chances and thought they had levelled when Jake Hyde turned in Ricky Holmes’ low cross.

However, the goal was ruled out for offside and the Shots managed to see out the game and claim and important three points in the relegation battle.

When asked about the penalty, Davids replied: “I think it was harsh because the ball hits his hand and his hand was down.

“In my opinion, when the ball is that close and he has taken a shot then you can’t really do much about it. Your reaction is to try and get out of the way and I think that is what he tried to do.”

On Nurse’s red card, the Dutchman added: “I haven’t seen that back but the referee said that he went over the top of the ball, then that is a red card.

“If he says that he saw the ball over the top then that is something else. But if not then that was a bad call.”

Davids watched the recording of the match before speaking to the media and he was frustrated Hyde’s goal was disallowed.

He said: “He (Hyde) was onside. In this particular match you have to be sharp and the standard of refereeing today was not up to the normal level I hope for.

“So it is very disappointing for us and has resulted in a loss.”