Oxford City boss Justin Merritt was unhappy with the late dismissal of skipper Joe Lapoujade as they were beaten 1-0 in the third round of the FA Trophy.

Lapoujade received a second yellow card from referee Constantine Hatzidakis for what Merritt considered trivial offences.

He said: “It was a soft sending-off. Even if it was a foul it was nothing at all.

“The player can’t believe it. and apparently the referee has apologised to the player after the game.”

Weather conditions at Woking made an already difficult task even harder for City.

As well as having to match a promotion-chasing Vanarama National League side, City also had to do battle with fierce winds and rain, which made it difficult stamp their authority on a scrappy game.

“It’s difficult when the ball is swirling around in the air,” said Merritt.

“We’re not the biggest and most physical team, and I think we are more suited to slick passing and good conditions.

“Typically, when I looked at the forecast it said something like 45mph winds right on kick-off time, the worst it could be.

“I’m really disappointed. But there are a lot of positives and we’re not a million miles away.”

While City have been denied a place in the quarter-finals and the potential prize of a Wembley final, defeat does allow them to focus their full attentions on their hectic league schedule.

With results going against them this weekend in National League South, City now find themselves outside the play-off places, but Merritt believes they can mount a charge in the coming weeks.

“Now we’ve just got to try and get on a run and accrue some points,” he said.

“Every game we go out for now, we’re trying to get three points.

“There’s a mountain to climb in terms of the number of games, but it’s very achievable and we could end up having a great season.

“It doesn’t just happen, you have to go and make it happen.”