Player-assistant boss Erkan Okay admitted his dismissal cost Soham Town Rangers the chance of a draw on the final day of the Bostik North Division season.

Soham were beaten 2-1 at play-off bound Heybridge Swifts last Saturday when having Okay sent off with 20 minutes to go.

He collected a second caution for a show of dissent towards the referee after earlier being booked for a foul - and he was quick to hold up his hands for what he feels was a costly indiscretion.

Okay told the Ely Standard: “We looked nervous in the first half – just as we did in the home game against Heybridge a few weeks ago.

“We told the lads at half-time not to let the season go out with a whimper. We got a goal back and I think we could probably have got a point had I not been sent off.

“It was silly from me in all fairness. I’m forever telling the lads to keep their discipline, but I lost my head at a time when we were on top in the game.”

Soham fell behind midway through the first half and saw their deficit double just before the break.

Greens boss Robbie Mason responded with a double substitution at half-time as wideman Harry Norman and striker Craig Gillies were introduced.

The two replacements combined only four minutes into the second period to lay on a goal for Sam Mulready and Soham were asking plenty of questions of their hosts when Okay received his marching orders.

They continued to threaten as Joe Carden was denied a last-gasp Soham leveller by a terrific stop from home keeper Danny Sambridge.