CHESHAM boss Steve Bateman has admitted that referees may force him to quit the game.

The Meadow boss is fed up of bad decisions being given against his side and says that if he ever does walk away from the game the men in black will have been a major factor in his decision.

He was furious that last week's man in the middle failed to send off a Halesowen player after he handled a Gary Sippets shot and pushed it onto the bar.

The referee awarded a penalty but did not send the culprit off.

Bateman said: "The referee said he didn't send him off because he didn't think it was a goalscoring opportunity. That amazes me.

"How can he say that when he used his hand to stop the ball going into the net?

"Their players were laughing when he stayed on the field."

The situation has got so bad that Bateman added: "Referees will be a major factor if I decide not to be a manager in the future.

"There are too many occasions when decisions have gone the wrong way and have had a major impact on the game.

"I can change my players after a poor performance but I can't do anything about the referee "When I was playing and a decision went against me, I always felt I could so something about it, but when you are a manager you can't do that."

He reckons if Halesowen had been reduced to ten men, Chesham might have been able to salvage something from the game in the final 15 minutes.

As it turned out it hinged on a double penalty miss in the space of 60 seconds by John Lawford.

His first effort was saved and when Gary Sippetts' follow-up shot was saved by the defender's handball onto the bar, Lawford stepped up to have another go.

But Halesowen's on-loan Walsall goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic save to deny him, and Chesham a share of the spoils.

Lawford will remain on penalty kicking duties tomorrow though, should United be awarded one in their home game against Grantham Town (ko 2pm).

United go into the game hoping to put the brakes on a disappointing run which has seen them win just one in six league and cup games.

Bateman held a meeting with his players this week but won't ring the changes today.

However, he has warned that he is looking to strengthen his squad.

United did receive a welcome boost this week though with Chris Herron returning to reserve action after his broken leg.

Tomorrow's match against Grantham has been brought forward to a 2pm kick off to avoid clashing with England's World Cup Qualifying match.