PETER JACKSON was fuming about the dismissal of Nathan Clarke, which rules the key defender out of Tuesday's clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Clarke marched after 67 minutes of last night's 1-0 win for a foul on Antony Sweeney, after earlier being booked by referee Mike Pike (Cumbria) for a challenge on Darren Craddock.
It was the club's eighth red card of the season following Efe Sodje (3), Lee Fowler, Danny Schofield, Chris Brandon and Tom Clarke and came in the wake of Town being charged with misconduct by the FA for a mass confrontation on the pitch in the 2-1 defeat at Chesterfield.
"I thought Nathan's dismissal was very harsh," said Jackson, who hopes Tom Clarke will recover from a hip injury to take his place against Wednesday.
"The first tackle was something and nothing and the second was no worse, yet he gets a red card and the whole course of the game is changed.
"It's very disappointing, especially when a similar challenge on Chris Brandon went unpunished, and Nathan is obviously very disappointed because he's going to miss the big game against Wednesday."
Nat Brown took over last night, Jackson has the option of bringing in new signing Danny Adams, or he may opt for Steve Yates or Tony Carss if they are fit.
Town stand on 51 points - only one team, Bristol Rovers, has been relegated with that tally in the last 10 years from this division (2001) - and Jackson added: "I think we are safe, but we want to pick up as many points as we can."
