Chief blasts Hughes red card

JOHN SHERIDAN launched a scathing attack on the referee after Athletic had striker Lee Hughes sent off in their weekend victory at Northampton Town.

Hughes will serve a one-match suspension — covering tomorrow night’s FA Cup replay at home to Cheltenham — for receiving two yellow cards.

He was dismissed on his comeback from an earlier ban, but Sheridan defended the striker’s actions.

Hughes was first booked for kicking the ball away before being cautioned by referee Paul Taylor for a tackle in the second minute of stoppage time.

Sheridan said: “It was embarrassing because Lee ran into one of their players, nothing more than that.

“The sending off was a joke and you almost had to laugh. It has become part and parcel of football that you can’t touch anybody.

“It has gone too far and all the referee had to do was have a word with him. Hughesy is a big player for us and we are going to lose him when we shouldn’t.

“There was nothing malicious, but nowadays people get sent off and miss games. It has gone too far and we need to do something about it.”

Hughes will be back for next weekend’s trip to Southend, but Athletic’s first priority is the FA Cup tomorrow night.

They are facing a lack of strikers despite the loan signing of talented Doncaster frontman Darren Byfield.

The chase for Byfield (32) had gone on for some time, but Sheridan landed his man on an initial one-month deal.

Athletic became the 13th club of Byfield’s career. He has made a handful of appearances for Doncaster in the Championship this term and was Bristol City’s eight-goal top scorer last season.

Byfield made his Athletic debut at Northampton, but he does not have permission to play in the FA Cup.

And Deane Smalley is doubtful for the first-round replay after suffering a kick on the hip early in Saturday’s game.

Chris O’Grady is due back from Bury at the end of his one-month loan, but he can’t play tomorrow due to being registered with another club at the time of the original tie.

At the moment, the only strikers definitely available to Sheridan are Lewis Alessandra and Matt Wolfenden.

Midfield man Danny Whitaker missed Saturday’s match with an ankle knock and is not expected to figure in the cup.