AFC have made a formal complaint about the standard of officiating in the game against Great Wakering Rovers, which ended 1-1 and saw AFC lose top spot in Ryman League division one north to Dartford.

Referee Carl Fitch, from Ipswich, was called in early Saturday to inspect the King's Marsh pitch following heavy rain on Friday, and surprisingly declared it fit on a day when many games in the area were called off.

"The pitch was not playable on Saturday. There was standing water on it in front of the dugout, and at the end it looked like a field cattle had walked over," said Morsley.

"I don't know how he thought it was fit for play.

"We have not been able to get on it in view of the weather, and we may need to call in a specialist to revive it."

At the end of the game Morsley said he had spoken to Fitch. "I told him I thought it was the worst refereeing performance I had ever seen, and he said he would report me, so I expect I'll end up in the stand for a few games.

"I feel that refereeing standards have fallen, and that they need to be taught man-management.

"The club has made a formal complaint to the FA about his performance."

Morsley spoke to some of the Great Wakering players in the bar after the game. "They had come here expecting to be hammered," he said, "until they saw the pitch. But we had more than enough chances to win it. It was disappointing all round."

Morsley now has his attention focused on Saturday's visit to Witham Town (3pm) who, after a run of seven home games without defeat have lost their last two – 4-0 to Dartford and 2-0 to Arlesey. AFC won 5-1 at King's Marsh in December.

"The league is still wide open, and we have to stay in the hunt, just as we did last season. If we can overhaul Dartford, it will be a terrific achievement.

"They are the form team, and we have to keep in touch. We will need a good performance against them when they come here on February 9."

The club is not running a coach to Witham, so a number of fans are planning to do the trip by rail, leaving Sudbury station at midday, and arriving (hopefully) at Witham half-an-hour later.

AFC are at home to Canvey Island on Tuesday (7.45pm), a game postponed from November 24 when Canvey were playing an FA Trophy match.

• Luke Hammond's loan move to Cambridge City was called off after the Blue Square South club changed the agreed dates.

"I felt we were being mucked about so we called it off," said Morsley.

And Hammond has come off the transfer list. "We have had a frank conversation.He says he wants to stay, work hard and fight for his place in the team.

"He has a more positive attitude, and commitment and hard work is what is needed and what I expect of the players."

• AFC Gold winners for week 37: £100 - S Lawrence (165), Carson Drive, Gt Cornard; £10 - J Hadley (118), Newton Road, Sudbury; £10 - J Walker (477), Brandeston Hall, Gt Waldingfield.