NIALL McGUINNESS doesn't want to sound like he's making excuses as he described the decisions that went against his Flint Town United side in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Cardiff Met as the 'worst ever.'

"It sounds as if I'm making excuses but everything is going against us," said McGuinness who watched on in disbelief as Alex Jones was red carded by referee Iwan Griffith in the 24th minute.

"We've had a red card that isn't a red card - it's a good tackle and even their players and manager have said so. And that their goal isn't a goal. It's offside.

"The linesman put his flag up, then down and back up again. The ref's gone over to talk to him for about a minute and they've decided to give the goal.

"There's nothing we can do about but you just feel all the decisions are going against us. We're 12 games into the season and we're the only team - although I'm not sure if Druids have had one - that hasn't been awarded a penalty the season."

The fact that Flint and Druids are both in the bottom two backs up the argument that sometimes the decisions don't go your way when you're scrapping it out at the wrong end of the table.

Flint, who head to champions and Deeside neighbours Connah's Quay tomorrow night, are one point behind 10th placed Newtown heading into hectic festive period,

But McGuinness is backing his players to fight all the way as they aim to not make their return to Welsh football's top flight a one-season affair.

"I'm proud of the lads for the performance they put in but the decisions going against them, it's deflated everyone. It's heart-breaking, really," added McGuinness.

"We've been playing well. The lads were confident, especially after last week's 3-0 win at Haverfordwest. And with 11 v 11, it would have been a totally different game."

Flint held out until 17 minutes from time when Ollie Hubert netted Met's winner.

"We changed out shape and the lads looked as if they were really enjoying defending but once they scored, it was hard for us," added McGuinness.