Martin Gethin’s hopes of a crack at the British lightweight title were dented by a dramatic defeat in Liverpool.

Walsall’s former English lightweight champion was edged out 96-95 by John Watson.

But the thrilling 10-round battle on Saturday night ended in controversy, after Gethin was denied a knockdown in the final 30 seconds.

He appeared to punch the hometown favourite to the canvas, but referee Marcus McDonnell ruled Watson had slipped.

Had McDonnell counted over Watson, the round would have been scored 10-8 in Gethin’s favour and secured him a draw.

Watson was badly shaken against the ropes, grabbed hold of the Black Country puncher and both tumbled to the canvas.

McDonnell didn’t pick up a count and, after the boxers got to their feet, Watson hung on until the final bell.

Gethin’s manager Errol Johnson thought the 25-year-old had done enough to earn the points verdict.

He said: “Martin should have knocked him out. He took his foot off the gas in the middle rounds and that’s what cost him.

“I thought Martin edged it and so did plenty of other people but he should have made sure by doing more.”

Gethin has now suffered back-to-back defeats having lost his English title to Scott Lawton last December and Johnson has called for him to emulate stablemates Young Mutley and Marcus Portman.

Both put defeats behind them to win the British welterweight title and WBF world light-middleweight belts respectively.

Johnson said: “Martin is good enough to do the same.”

Gethin was fancied to beat Watson, who had not gone beyond four rounds in compiling an unbeaten nine-fight record, and set a blistering pace.

He was straight on the attack and although Watson tried to match him blow for blow, Gethin was in charge with his fast-fisted combinations.

He buckled Watson’s knees with a left hook late in the first round, stayed on the front foot in the second – despite picking up a bloodied nose – then had Watson holding on desperately in the third.

He tried to stand and trade with Gethin in the fourth and was forced to give ground by the Black Country boxer’s thumping blows. From the fifth, Watson got on his toes and tried to jab his way to victory.

His work was flashy, but Gethin kept hunting him down, had his successes with body punches and then won the last two rounds.

Johnson added: “It was a close fight.”