Latchford Albion are made to rue Ace Jones' red card in a defeat to West Bank Bears

LATCHFORD coach Lee Smith says his team should have beaten West Bank Bears on Saturday despite an early red card and a horrendous run of injuries.

Ace Jones was sent off for a head butt in a first half that also saw Albion lose three players to injury, leaving them with only one substitute for the remainder of the game.

Despite their disadvantage, Smith admitted to being disappointed as his side's effort merited more from the contest.

"We played 55 minutes with twelve men and, due to a horrendous day with injuries, I had no substitutes for nearly half of the game," he said.

"Despite this, I am disappointed for the players as the effort was massive in very challenging circumstances.

"If we had just managed the game a little bit better, we could have, and should have, secured the victory."

Owen Nugent crossed in the corner to put Albion ahead, but three converted tries in ten minutes put the visitors in control.

Adam Wood finished off a well-worked try which was converted by Chris Griffith, but Jones' dismissal on 25 minutes left Albion with an uphill struggle.

Trailing 18-10 at the break, Griffiths' brilliant solo try and conversion put Latchford back in the game, but two quick tries established a two-score lead for West Bank.

Nugent doubled his tally with another individual try, with the conversion reducing the lead to just two points with 10 minutes remaining, but the visitors crossed twice in the closing stages to make the scoreline look more convincing.

Albion travel to Shevington Sharks for their next game on Saturday, May 20.

Meanwhile, the debut of Albion's Alliance side had to be put on hold when visitos Portico Vine were unable to raise a team on Saturday.