BOSS Tom Killick labelled as "quite bizarre" the appeals procedure after relegation-threatened Poole Town failed to get sanctions against strikers Marvin Brooks and James Constable overturned.

Both players were dismissed by referee Jack Packman during the 2-2 draw at East Thurrock United eight days ago, Brooks in second-half stoppage time and Constable after the final whistle.

Packman acted due to the alleged use of foul and abusive language towards him by the duo – Dolphins' goalscorers that night.

Brooks faces an immediate four-game ban as it was his third dismissal of the season, while loan star Constable will miss Good Friday's National South clash with Whitehawk and the trip to Hungerford Town three days later.

Poole were not permitted by Football Association rules to appeal Brooks's red card but they were allowed to contest Constable's on the grounds of mistaken identity.

In an unfortunate twist, video footage was available of the Brooks dismissal but not of the Constable incident, as the cameras had stopped recording at the final whistle.

Killick told the Daily Echo: "In relation to Marvin, we were told you cannot appeal a sending off for foul and abusive language at our level of football, notwithstanding any evidence you have.

"I find it quite bizarre that you differentiate between offences as I would have thought each case would be dealt with on its merits. I find it quite strange that for certain offences the right of appeal doesn't exist.

"It should be about having sufficient evidence to establish the decision is wrong.

"We felt we had that but there you go – the rules are the same for everyone. I would imagine that would be something which would have to be reviewed at some point, otherwise there could be the risk of a legal challenge."

With no video footage available of Constable's red card, Poole were able only to submit still images of the incident, which did not convince an FA regulatory commission to overturn the decision.

Discussing Constable's dismissal, Killick added: "You don't have to prove the sending off was incorrect, you have to prove it was a clear and obvious error, so that is always going to put you on the back foot with an appeal.

"However disappointed I am, I'm not really surprised."