BRACKNELL Town had two players sent off as they crashed out of the FA Vase in a controversial and incident-packed 4-1 defeat at Croydon on Saturday.

Skipper Carl Davies and keeper Chris Grace were both shown red cards, but on each occasion the decisions appeared harsh.

This first-round tie started well for Bracknell, who travelled to Surrey high on confidence following a 13-match unbeaten run and with 15 goals in their previous two games.

And that impressive tally was quickly added to with TJ Bohane finding the target in the ninth minute for his sixth goal in three games.

But they were ahead for just four minutes with Lauris Chin taking advantage of hesitation in Town’s defence to equalise.

Robins had chances to increase their lead and going into the interval they looked the more likely side to go on to win the game.

But three minutes into the second half there came the first indication that this wasn’t going to be their day.

Centre-back Davies was sent off when he brought down a home forward cutting from in the wing although it looked as though two other defenders were covering him.

The Southern Counties East side took the lead through Karl Doughlin on 54 minutes and then the day got even worse for the Robins.

Grace collided with an oncoming opponent who went down although it appeared the Croydon player had ran into him. But, to Bracknell’s disbelief, again referee Rob King brought out his red card.

Defender Callum Whitty took over in goal and saved the penalty, but he was beaten by Jeff Duah-Kessie after 65 and 84 minutes, the last coming from another penalty.

In addition to only having nine men, forward Adam Cornell was no more than a passenger in the closing stages due to a groin injury.

It was Town’s first defeat since their FA Cup exit at Egham on August 20.

Their home fixture with Highworth scheduled for last night was called off as the Wiltshire are involved in a Vase replay with AC London tonight (Wednesday).

On Saturday they travel to Brackley Town Saints, where they will be aiming to follow up their 9-0 home win over the same opponents last week.

Robins produced some clinical finishing with Bohane netting a hat-trick.