Colchester United villain Karl Duguid fears his football could be over for the next five weeks unless Sussex referee Clive Penton has a change of heart.

Off U's go - Karl Duguid takes an early bath at Layer Road Picture: ROB SAMBROOK

Penton wasted no time in brandishing a red card at Duguid for an alleged professional foul on Barnsley striker Kevin Betsy nine minutes from the end of Saturday's 1-1 Layer Road draw.

It was Duguid's second sending-off in the last three matches and the U's sixth for the season, following his red card at Queens Park Rangers two Sundays ago.

Both Duguid and U's boss Phil Parkinson were adamant that the acting left-back had 'made no contact' with Betsy and the sending-off looked very harsh from the Press Box less than 20 yards away.

"My only hope is that the referee rescinds the red card when, and if, he agrees to view the incident on the official match video," said Duguid.

"If he doesn't then I fear my football is over until the middle of February (seven matches).

"I've already served a one-game ban for clocking up five yellow cards earlier in the season and I'm missing the next three games because of my dismissal for violent conduct at QPR."

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Published Monday January 12, 2004

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