IT WAS a day to forget for Bridport’s Louis Rutter after he was sent off in the Bees’ 3-1 defeat at home to Bristol Manor Farm.

Ironically the second half, after the visitors had taken a two-goal lead into half-time, started well for the midfielder as he pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 54th minute.

But, his game ended prematurely after he threw an elbow that saw him given his marching orders.

The visitors added a third late on to secure them the victory to consign the Bees to their ninth straight game without a win in all competitions.

To make matters worse, Andy Martin dislocated his shoulder late on, but the club later tweeted that the defender had had his shoulder put back into place and was on the mend.

Speaking about the dismissal, Bridport manager Adam Fricker told Echosport: “He stupidly elbowed their central midfielder and got a straight red.

“It completely changed the game.

“He knows he was in the wrong. He held his hands up after the game and apologised.

“I think he knows it has cost us, but he is a young lad and he will learn.”

Things did not start well for the Bees as they fell behind after 20 minutes from a corner.

The visitors doubled their lead before the break, this time with a deft chip after Jason Hutchings had rushed off his line.

Rutter then got them back in it just after the break, before seeing red midway through the second half.

Tom Blair and Ed Butcher continued to cause problems despite Bristol’s man advantage as they forced the away keeper into a couple of saves.

But the visitors, who have lost just once in the league all season, turned on the style and secured the game with time running out by scoring their third goal of the afternoon.

Fricker added: “I’m gutted. We were 2-0 down at half-time but I thought we played really well.

“We had plenty of chances and I said to the lads at half-time that if we get ourselves back in it then we have a chance.

“We can take massive positives from that game and I want the players to take that in to next Saturday against Chipping Sodbury Town. We knew it was always going to be tough but I’m pleased with the performance from the boys.”

Bees: Hutchings, Condliffe, Bailey, Regan, Martin (Hill 86), Butcher, Symes, Rutter, Peach, Blair (Barrett 84), Salter. Subs not used: Haines, Spurway