Colchester United boss Phil Parkinson believes that referee Andy Hall lacked common sense when he gave Stephen Hunt a straight red card in the first minute of his first senior appearance.
Former Southampton trainee Hunt made his U's debut when he came on as a 66th-minute substitute in their 2-1 defeat against Chesterfield in the Coca-Cola League One on Saturday.
However, his first impact on the game was with the shin of Spireites forward Zoa Tcham N-Toya and Hall had no hesitation in pulling out a red card and making Hunt head back down the tunnel.
Parkinson said: "Hunt has gone in for the ball, but he has mistimed his tackle.
"The Chesterfield players all rushed round him and the crowd were on his back and he sent him off.
"I think there was a lack of common sense by the referee.
"The lad who got fouled didn't even make a meal of it either, he got back to his feet alright.
"It was a reckless challenge by Hunt, but not a sending-off offence."
Published Monday August 23, 2004
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