From as early as the eighth minute when he denied Buxton a clear penalty, a decision that allowed Terry Smith to stay on the field, Mr Massey infuriated the entire visiting contingent with a string of decisions which determined the outcome of a game The Bucks had dominated throughout the first half.

After two home defeats, the visitors were clearly intent on regaining the favour of their substantial following, and their display in the opening period was reminiscent of their best of last season, apart from a lack of goals.

However, the Bucks should have had the opportunity to lead after eight minutes when a through ball sent Gavin Knight well clear of the flat-footed defence, but he was brought down as he was rounding the keeper, who was without question 'the last man'.

By then Knight had already been deprived of a goal by an assistant's flag.

He slid the ball home at the far post after Mark Hume's header from a fine ball by full debutant Pat McGuire.

Hume in particular was trying to prove his worth and his 35-yard lob extended the back-pedalling Smith.

The in-form Michael Towey made a fine diagonal run through midfield but his low cross shot was saved, then Knight was a fraction off converting a long ball down the centre.

Little had been seen of Ashton as an attacking force before half time, yet the home side still managed to go in a goal up.

An ill-judged back pass troubled Scott Hartley on 17 minutes and he was deemed to have committed a foul. Ian Fitzpatrick netted from the spot.

Immediately after the interval, the visitors had another scare as a far-post Ashton header was ruled out for offside, but Buxton soon returned to the attack with Hume hooking a shot narrowly wide as Grant Black found him with a low cross to the near post and the big striker then headed over the bar from a Scott Maxfield corner.

However, on the hour the referee sent off Michael Towey as he sought to free himself from the clutches of an opponent who had clearly fouled him, but who had seen Mr Massey rule against Towey.

This was the Buxton midfielder's first-ever dismissal, and in his near-three years at the Silverlands had not come even close to seeing a red card.

Only now did Ashton enter the contest as a serious attacking force but profited twice in three minutes from Buxton's undeserved discomfort.

Ryan Moore took full advantage of a defensive error and then after 70 minutes it was the unmarked Ben Deegan who was able to turn and shoot past Hartley to establish a three-goal lead for United.

Manager John Reed made a triple substitution in an attempt to restore his team's flagging fortunes, and in the 78th minute Hume netted from close range as the home defence failed to deal with a high ball from the right, but within 60 seconds the striker became the second visiting player to be dispatched by the referee, presumably for a remark passed when he was denied a free kick.

Ashton substitute Ben Smith made it 4-1 in the 84th minute to complete the visitors' afternoon of misery.

Several aspects of Mr Massey's conduct have been reported to the FA referees' department by Buxton concerning not only the controversial decisions but also, for instance, Clive Freeman's request to the referee that players be treated with respect, for which he was dismissed from the dugout.

Buxton: Hartley, Black, Bowker, Anderson, Maxfield, McGuire, Lees (Brodie 72), Towey, Knight (Balfe 72), Hume, Walker (Wilson 72).
Attendance: 272.

* Following the game against Ashton United, boss John Reed has placed Mark Hume on the transfer list.