Bognor win appeal over goalkeeper's red card

Dan Lincoln watches his team-mates in action against Dorking before his unjust sending-off / Picture by Tommy McMillan

The stopper was ordered off in first-half injury time after he was ruled to have handled the ball outside the area.

It was a crucial decision as from the free-kick, Lewis Taylor fired home for what was the only goal of the game.

Lincoln - who many felt had not actually handled outside the box - was replaced by new Rocks goalie Ricardo Texeira, who looked set to deputise in this weekend's visit to Kingstonian. But now Lincoln is free to play with his one-match lifted as a result of the club's appeal being upheld.

The Rocks' case in appealing against the red card was that he had not denied Dorking a clear goalscoring opportunity. There were numerous players around him when he claimed the ball.

It was the second poor refereeing decision Bognor had suffered at Nyewood Lane within a week. At home to Enfield last Tuesday, visiting player Ryan Blackman controlled the ball with his hand before scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.

Bognor v Dorking in pictures

Robbie Blake's verdict on controversial loss to Dorking