Maidstone defender Raphe Brown has accused the officials of guesswork following his mistaken-identity dismissal. Brown was incorrectly shown a second yellow card at the end of United’s Boxing Day draw at Tonbridge.
Angels celebrated their injury-time equaliser in front of the visitors’ dugout but Brown, who’d been substituted, was no more than an observer in the fracas that followed.
Referee Nick Dunn sent him off - costing him a place in the Stones’ FA Cup third-round tie against Stevenage next month - after consulting with his linesman.
Timmy Abraham was the man they wanted - admitting his guilt to the officials - but their decision stood. Brown is free to play in the return game against Tonbridge on New Year’s Day but will miss the Stevenage match on January 6 as second yellow cards cannot be appealed. “They scored their goal and celebrated in front of our bench,” said Brown. “Everyone stood up, including myself, but a few players actually engaged in talking and tussling.