MANAGER Matty Holmes confirmed Wimborne Town would appeal Matty Oldring’s red card which was issued during their 1-0 defeat at Paulton Rovers last night.

Oldring and Rovers’ Dale Evans were sent off in the closing stages of the Southern League West clash for what Holmes described as nothing more than “handbags”.

A melee ensued after Oldring had attempted to retrieve the ball from Evans as the Paulton winger apparently tried to run down the clock in added time.

Referee Phil Staynings deemed both players had been guilty of violent conduct, a decision a report on the Paulton official website said had “astonished everyone from both sides”.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: “It was a poor decision. We are going to contest ours and Paulton are going to contest theirs.

“We have seen the video and are going to put it to the FA. The referee accused both players of throwing punches.

“There was a melee but I didn’t see any punches thrown on the night and, looking at the video, none were thrown at all. Both lads were sent off which was a shame.

“Their player jumped on top of the ball to try to delay the game so Matty ran in and tried to get it back.

“They were wrestling for the ball and then all their players steamed in. Our players went in to protect Matty. There were a lot of handbags and the referee decided after a minute or so to send off both lads.”

Joe Chandler’s towering header from Evans’ ninth-minute corner separated the teams with Magpies seeing a host of chances to level go begging.

Holmes, who handed a debut to goalkeeper Rhys Evans, added: “We were a little slow starting but grew into the game and I thought the boys were tremendous.

“We rose to the challenge and were unlucky not to get a point, possible all three.”

Magpies: Evans, Maybury, Cole, Arnold, Oldring, Kellaway (Penny), Stokoe, L Holmes, T Holmes, Burbidge, Lovell. Unused subs: Bayston, Francis.