The first day of football's new term was wrecked by an over-officious referee who seemed more interested in doling out drudgery than enlightening the crowds.

Mike Ryan resembled a new teacher straining for authority as he sent Dion Dublin and then Rufus Brevett home early.

And in doing so the Preston whistler abruptly crushed the entertaining game which was developing, ushering in a dour stalemate that offered little to remember.

The flashpoint came on 18 minutes: Brevett and Dublin tangled under Chris Makin's throw in, both players kicked out at one another, and squared up in pantomime style.

It was more playground tussle than open warfare, but Dublin was shown a straight red while Brevett escaped with a booking which was later to prove his undoing.

For the left back, making his first appearance in almost 12 months after recovering from a broken ankle, picked up a second yellow in the closing stages after a high tackle on Jamie Scowcroft.

He will now miss tomorrow's home game with Reading.

Sadly, those flashes of controversy will be the abiding memory of a day which had started brightly.

Hammers had the better of the early exchanged, with Nigel Reo-Coker producing some exciting runs through the centre of midfield.

With Michael Carrick set to leave, Reo-Coker suggested he can provide the attacking spark through the middle that was so often missing last time.

But the closest chance fell to Leicester, who saw Lilian Nalis thwack a 20-yard drive against the bar before David Connolly scooped the loose ball over.

Published Monday August 9, 2004

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