TOWN have dropped their appeal against Pawel Abbott's sending-off at Orient - despite giving referee Trevor Parkes just five marks out of 100.

Manager Peter Jackson took advice from the Football Association and referees' assessor Kevin Lynch before deciding not to appeal because of insufficient video evidence.

The sting in the tail, however, is that Abbott will serve a three-match ban for violent conduct and will sit out matches against Scunthorpe, Northampton and the huge clash with Hull City.

"It's really disappointing," said Jackson today.

"The referee and linesman have stuck together over what they insist they saw, so we've got to live with it.

"The ref made no comment about Boothy's dismissal either, other than to say it was for persistent fouling. It seems no-one is ever willing to say they made a mistake."

Town made unsuccessful appeals this season against sendings-off for Efe Sodje and Jon Worthington and took advice not to chance a third hearing without the help of video back-up.

Jackson has striker John McAliskey pencilled in to replace Abbott and will recall Jon Newby from York for the Hull City trip.

McAliskey missed training today after scoring in last night's 4-2 Reserves win against Burnley at Turf Moor.