The Blues fielded what looked like a strong side against Goytre but never quite matched Derek Brazil’s team and went down to two second-half goals.

It was the home side who seemed to adjust slightly better to a pitch which was rather soft after some heavy rain, but after quite a dour opening period the game was still goalless at half-time, with the issue at this stage very much in the balance.

The real crunch time came around the hour mark, with two penalty appeals. First of all, Richard Ryan appeared to be tripped as he entered the Goytre penalty area, only for the referee to remain unmoved. But a similar incident in the Bluebirds’ penalty area just a minute later saw a different decision, the spot kick awarded and converted firmly by ex-Bluebird Robbie Walters.

The game was put a very much longer way beyond the visitors’ reach just 10 minutes later when Robert French drove in well from the edge of the area for the second Goytre goal.

At this point the Blues started to send on their subs, and Jay Brockway, coming on for Jamie Evans, made a few forays. But there was another rather dramatic turning point just eight minutes from the end, when Ryan, bearing down on goal, was fouled by Goyt’s Emyr Williams, for the  referee  to rule that Williams was the last man and to  give him a red card.

The free kick though came to nothing and, in the ensuing rather heated atmosphere, Blues Director of Football Leighton James was banished from the dug-out, to cap a rather dismal afternoon for the Bluebirds.

The Bluebirds’ next game is at home to highflying Bridgend, and supporters ere asked to note that the game is on Friday night, kick-off 7.30.

Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Phil Cattlin; Dale Griffiths; Gareth Elliott;; Gary Taylor (Jonathan Kift, 70); Ricky Watts; Owen Thomas(Alex Squires, 70); Richard Lewis; Anton Owens; Richard Ryan; Jamie Evans (Jay Brockway, 80).