FANS' favourite Andy Booth led the protests today as Town weighed up the fall-out from a controversial promotion pointer at Leyton Orient.

Town had Booth and Pawel Abbott sent-off on Saturday at Brisbane Road, where 1,181 travelling fans saw Peter Jackson's side take another important step towards automatic promotion with a 1-1 draw.

It's the second time this season Town have finished a match with nine men - Paul Scott and Ian Hughes were dismissed in the 2-0 defeat at Swansea in September - and Jackson's side have now collected a total of 12 red cards this season.

Already hauled before FA disciplinary chiefs once this season, Jackson was today studying the referee's report before deciding whether to appeal against Abbott's red - there is no appeal against two yellow cards.

Jackson has already decided to give "a very low mark" to Birmingham referee Trevor Parkes, who awarded a controversial late penalty against Adie Moses at Blackpool last season when Town were pegged for a 1-1 draw after leading through Booth.

The big striker will miss just Town's home clash with Scunthorpe a week on Saturday, but Abbott will miss that game and the following trip to Northampton after his straight red in London.

"Decisions like that can cost you dearly, especially in a promotion battle," said Booth, who has been sent-off just once before, for Sheffield Wednesday at Everton.

"From what I saw of Pav's it was just a tangle of arms as they were jostling for pole position at a free-kick.

"He might have caught the lad as they freed themselves, but it was something and nothing and the defender made the most of it. With my two bookings, I couldn't believe it.

"I've celebrated many a goal in exactly the same way and never warranted a caution, and yet he was straight out with the card.

"With the second one, if I had done something bad then I could have understood it, but it was nothing.

"The whole thing was a joke, really, and I just think the ref thought everyone had gone there to watch him.

"When you look at the table, though, you can see how these things make a difference.

"If we had kept a full team on the pitch I'm sure we would have won. Had that been the case, we would have been four points clear of Torquay with a game in hand."

Booth and Abbott are free to play in the upcoming Easter double header against Southend at home on Saturday and Kidderminster away on Monday.

Jackson said: "I thought the referee was very poor throughout and I told the lads at half time that if we could get anything out of the game it would be a bonus, because we were playing 11 men and the referee.

"I'm going to look at the issues closely before deciding if it's worth taking it up with the powers that be, but I have to say the referee spoiled the game totally.

"On the positive side, the lads gave me everything once again and their spirit and desire was tremendous.

"We also had great support again and I know they appreciated the fact we defended with our hearts and our bodies and deserved to take a great point.

"We are still in a superb position and if we can win our three remaining home games we won't be far off."