Ebbsfleet United boss Josh Wright reacts to 1-0 defeat at Hornchurch in National League South

Frustrated Ebbsfleet manager Josh Wright was left bemused after late controversy at Hornchurch on Saturday.

The Fleet lost 1-0 in National League South with referee Tommy Breen’s call to give a free-kick for offside leading to the home side’s winner.

“I've got no other comment other than I'm not sure [why] it was given,” said Wright. “I don't know about other rules and whatever else.

“It's not offside. We're running with the ball. We're not passing, we're running with the ball.

“Their player tackles it, and it goes to our player. It's not offside, we all know it.

“It's clear as day and 30 seconds later, it's in the back of our net.

“It's happened, it’s really frustrating because I think we deserved a minimum of a point. If there was one side that was going to win that second half, it was us.”

Wright’s protests about the offside call saw him booked by referee Breen, who was last in charge of a Fleet game when they lost at Maidstone in January.

Asked whether he got an explanation on the decision, Wright said: “A mini one.

“I obviously received the caution, so I had to be careful. I think it's something to do with did the player mean to play the ball into us to be offside?

“I'm not having it. We're running with the ball. It's not a pass. It's not a deflection. He plays the pass, it's off him.

“I'm sure we will hear [feedback]. There may be another apology. There may not. I don't know.”

Ebbsfleet supporters also felt Hornchurch’s late winner had a look of offside about it but Wright added: “No, I think some suggested it was, but I think someone might have played him on. So, I don't think it was offside. No, it wasn't.”

The win means that former Fleet boss Daryl McMahon’s Hornchurch still have a chance of landing the title.

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