RICHARD Marshall has been sidelined by a three-match suspension that Farsley Celtic did everything they could to overturn.

The former Bradford Park Avenue and FC Halifax Town forward picked up a straight red card on the last Saturday of October as the Celts knocked Evo-Stik League rivals Mossley out of the FA Trophy.

Farsley are without Marshall for today's trip to Barwell in the second qualifying round of the competition because of the sending off.

The club's head of media Paul Hatt said: "We appealed the decision but the panel dismissed that.

"We appealed because we felt it was a wrong call by the referee. There was genuine shock and bemusement when the red card came out.

"The Mossley players didn't appeal, the players from both sides were continuing with the game and the assistant referees appeared to be as well, before the ref sent Scooby (Marshall) off.

"It was just after the hour mark but fortunately it didn't affect the result on the day – but the outcome would mean a three-match ban for Scooby, so we appealed it.

"We presented the video evidence to the FA and we felt that it clearly showed that he didn't lead with his elbow, which is what the referee stated after the game as the reason for the red card.

"It was clear on the video – from the stripe in the arm of our shirts – that his arm was down by his side.

"It was a free-kick for a shoulder charge, nothing more, but Richard missed three games for us and he is one of our most consistent players this season."