NATHAN ECCLESTON has been backed to bounce back from his sending-off misery by Town boss Lee Clark and Gillingham defender Stuart Lewis, the victim of his ugly two-footed challenge.

The 19-year-old Liverpool loanee is facing a three-match suspension after being shown a straight red card by Essex referee Fred Graham in the 25th minute of Saturday’s 2-0 League I loss at Priestfield.

Town were already one down to Simeon Jackson’s sixth-minute strike and despite a spirited response, conceded another goal to the Canadian international, his 17th of the season, just 20 minutes into the second half.

Clark said Eccleston, who was making his fourth Town start and seventh appearance of all on the left side of midfield, will be fined under the club’s internal code of discipline, but will also be helped to cope with the aftermath of his dismissal.

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“Nathan will certainly be disciplined, because his lack of discipline has possibly cost us getting something from the match,” said Clark.

“He had got himself involved in things beforehand, and it was a reckless challenge which deserved a straight red.

“If that kind of tackle had been on one of my players I would have expected the same outcome, so I have no complaints.

“I urge my players to show controlled aggression, but that clearly wasn’t controlled. They have to be big enough not to get involved in anything unnecessary.

“But Nathan is a young player and all players, not just young ones, make mistakes from time to time.

“His inexperience possibly played a part, but I believe he will go on to be a top player.”

Right-back Lewis, who needed treatment on a knee after the tackle, said: “You certainly don’t want to be on the end of challenges like that.

“But perhaps when I was younger myself, I made a few tackles which weren’t the best.

“Nathan is a young player who is on a learning curve.

“I hear he’s a good prospect, and I’ll certainly be watching to see how he progresses.”

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