A disappointed John Salomon criticised "an unfortunate bit of acting" from Millwall Lionesses' Naomi Cole after Watford Ladies suffered a controversial 3-2 Women's Super League 2 defeat.

The Golden Girls were up against it inside 20 minutes of Sunday's game at Harlow Town's ground after Cole and Rosella Ayane had put the hosts 2-0 up, the first goal coming from a disputed penalty award.

Ellie Mason halved the deficit with her second spectacular strike in as many games before the break and substiute Anneka Nuttall also scored a fine goal in the second half, coming after Ashlee Hincks had restored Millwall's two-goal advantage.

But it was the red card Nuttall received a minute after scoring following a clash with Cole that aggreived Salomon.

"There’s been an unfortunate bit of acting from one of the Millwall players," he said. "It’s disappointing because it’s not something that’s ever been a part of women’s football.

"For the five years I’ve worked at this level, it’s always been a very honest game. I think today shows that perhaps it’s not the same as in the past and we certainly feel a little bit let down by that.

"We’ll hold our hands up and say it’s not a red card we’d necessarily appeal because we can understand why it’s given. However the reaction of the Millwall player on the floor, the acting that’s taken place, has had an influence."

The Watford boss was impressed by the contribution of his substitute, explaining: "Anneka has done incredibly well and has scored within seconds of coming onto the pitch, she made a massive difference. It was a fantastic ball through and she took her goal really well.

"We almost recreated that within seconds of the restart, she’s gone through on goal again and it’s not quite worked for her. Then there’s been a little tangle between two players and she’s ultimately came away from it with a red card."

The first major talking point of an incident-packed game came when a ball when a powerfully-struck ball appeared to strike Leighanne Robe's hand, even though her arms were at a side. The referee intially played on before spotting the assistant's flag and awarded the spot-kick after consulting with his fellow official.

Cole sent Shayla Burgess the wrong way from 12 yards and Salomon subsequently remarked: "It happened quickly, I didn’t have a good enough view to see it but we’ve watched it back and we’re disappointed with the decision."

The Golden Girls' task became harder when Ayane headed home a deep Hincks free-kick and it could have got even worse as Megan Goss hit the crossbar from another set piece before the follow up was cleared off the line.

But the visitors got back into the game in fine fashion before the interval when Mason arrowed a 30-yard strike into the top corner following some good work by Jenna Dear.

Watford would have been hoping to build on that after the restart but they found themselves two goals down again when Burgess was beaten by an impressive Hincks free-kick.

That cushion would have been halved almost immediately though, were it not for a superb save from Sarah Quantrill to keep out another effort from Mason.

But the Golden Girls were back in it when Nuttall, who only been on the pitch for two minutes, latched onto a fine pass and held off the Millwall defenders before slotting past Quantrill.

No sooner had the momentum swung in Watford's favour, then it switched back the other way when Cole went to ground clutching her face after a tangle of legs with Nuttall, who was shown a straight red card.

Despite being down to ten players, Salomon's side kept battling and the closest they came to equalising was when a stinging Mason effort was plamed away by Quantrill after another fine pass from Dear.

The Golden Girls' league campaign continues on Sunday when they take on Yeovil Town at Berkhamsted (kick off 2pm) and the club are offering free admission to all Hornets season-ticket holders at Vicarage Road.

For those who do not have a season ticket, matchday admission is £4 for adults and £2 concessions.

Watford Ladies: S Burgess, Heaslip, M Burgess, Robe, Gillard, Wride, Green (Farrow 89), Donnelly (Nuttall 59), Dear, Natkiel, Mason. Not used: Rowlands, Scheffer.