Hendon boss Gary McCann has criticised his side’s discipline after a second red card for dissent cost the Greens a shot at victory against league-leaders Leiston on Saturday.

Midfielder Sam Murphy was sent off for his reaction to a poor challenge form Joe Francis, one which McCann believed merited a dismissal in itself, before the Suffolk side grabbed a decisive second at the death to wrap up a 2-0 win in the Isthmian Premier Division.

And Hendon’s luck remained well and truly out on Bank Holiday Monday as they lost the Earlsmead derby 1-0 to landlords Harrow Borough thanks to Marc Charles-Smith’s goal.

Reflecting on a week which has seen last season’s Play-Off Final runners-up beaten three times, McCann said: “They say a week is a long time in football, well, our week has been a very long one.

“We lost three times and I don’t think we deserved to lose any of them, but we didn’t do enough to gain three points in any of them either.

“The discipline issue is a real problem at the moment,” he admitted. “Dissent is completely unacceptable and we already have a punishment system in place for dissent cautions, but it does not seem to be enough. We will be addressing this as a matter of urgency.

“The two red cards we have had this season have both been the result of players being frustrated, and there is no excuse for them either. The first one, for Aaron Morgan against Enfield Town, was very thoughtless, but the one for Sam Murphy on Saturday was even worse.

“We have to find the balance between aggression and going too far, but we also have to be much cuter in those moments,” he explained.

The Greens had already been trailing 1-0 on Saturday after Leiston took a 25th-minute lead through Gareth Heath from close range.

But Murphy’s dismissal in the 59th minute put paid to any chances of a win against the Blues, and following Monday’s loss against Harrow, Hendon sit 13th after seven games.

Times Series: Hendon's Sam Murphy

Wingate & Finchley fared rather better, though, picking up a 3-1 win at Met Police to maintain their flying start to the new campaign under Simon Lane.

The Blues had also been reduced to ten men in Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Staines Town but returned to winning ways at Imber Court.

Wingate took the lead in the seventh minute when Billy Healey controlled Karl Oliyide’s cross before touching the ball into the path of Ola Sogbanmu to hook home a half-volley.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 to the visitors as Tommy Tejan-Sie’s excellent pass allowed Oliyide to manoeuvre away from his marker and plant beyond Met goalkeeper Craig King.

Substitute Rob Laney added a third with 12 minutes remaining, tucking home after Healey had curled against the post.

Reece Yorke pulled one back late on for the Met but it was no more than a consolation.

Times Series: Wingate & Finchley celebrate against Met Police. Picture: David StevensWingate & Finchley celebrate against Met Police. Picture: David Stevens

In Spartan South Midlands Division One, Edgware Town beat Hatfield Town 4-1 in the League Cup first round on Tuesday.

Jack Smith, Lee Inch, Stu Blackburne and Abdul Mansaray all netted for the Wares.
On Saturday Edware 3-2 winners over Woodford Town.