BARNT Green Spartak's lead at the top of Midland Combination division one is down to five points after they were held 1-1 at home by mid-table Bloxwich Town.

GJ Singh's side, who lead Pilkington XXX at the summit, were left kicking themselves last Saturday after failing to convert their play into goals.

But it was a controversial Bloxwich equaliser that had everybody talking. With Spartak a goal to the good, goalkeeper Michael Stoney was charged when claiming a 40-yard free-kick despite appearing to have both hands on the ball.

Stoney, making his debut, fell and the ball subsequently rolled into the net. Referee David Taverner allowed the goal to stand.

A disappointed Spartak manager Singh said it was a decision that bemused both sides.

"It was like watching a television replay of the 50s and 60s when you could barge keepers into the net," he said.

"Their lad's gone up and made no contact with the ball. The players have gone ballistic and they (opposition) thought it was disallowed as well.

"I think it knocked the stuffing out of us. It was the best we had played for a long, long time in the first half."

Singh added that he spoke to the referee after the game who told him he didn't think Stoney had the ball under control.

Spartak dominated the first half but did not find the net until five minutes from the break when captain Zahoor Suliman volleyed home an Akbar Ali corner. The controversial leveller came three minutes later.

Reckey Carter and Shaid Akbar both missed guilt edged chances late on.