Swindon Town will be without the suspended Louis Reed for Saturday's trip to Crawley Town in the EFL Sky Bet League Two.
Reed was shown a second yellow card in controversial circumstances during Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Sutton, being sent off for perceived simulation.
The decision angered Town at the time but, as Head Coach Ben Garner explained at his pre-match press conference earlier today, there was no pathway for the suspension to be appealed, meaning Reed will now miss two games including tomorrow's contest at Crawley.
"It was a non-starter - there is no protocol to appeal a red card that comes from two yellows," Garner said.
"I find it crazy and it is something that needs to change because you've got a player who has been booked for simulation when there was clear contact, and we've got photographs and video evidence that shows that.
"He's now got a two-game ban because of it.
"I find it crazy. Even if the referee admits he's made a mistake, there is no protocol in place for you to appeal that.
"It is what it is, there's nothing we can do and obviously Louis is disappointed.
"We're fortunate that we've got other good players in the building, the likes of Ryan East who can come in and play and he's an excellent footballer in his own right.
"They will have to come and take their opportunity.
"Reed is a fantastic player. For me, he's really important to how we play, great character as well and I still think we can develop him a lot more - I think there's still a lot more to come from him.
"He's been very, very consistent for us this season but, on the flip-side of that, Ryan East has been unlucky not to play more this season, it has literally been how good Reedy has been that he's not had as many opportunities as he should have done.
"He's played in the Carabao Cup, played very well in the EFL Trophy and several league games, and it is an opportunity for him to come in and show his quality, come in and show what a top player he is and push Reedy and try and get the shirt from him, which is what we want.
"Although we're disappointed to have a two-game ban, I feel very fortunate to have another very good footballer come into the team."
Garner also provided a fitness update ahead of Saturday's game, with Jake O'Brien set to come back into the team after missing Tuesday night.
"Jake O'Brien is good," Garner added. "As expected, it was just a case of getting that swelling down so he's fine and he'll be good to go tomorrow.
"We're pretty much as we were apart from that. I don't think there will be anyone else coming back in. We were close to one coming back in but it was just a day or two too soon."
