BROMSGROVE Rovers could be without goalkeeper Matt Lowe for three games after he was sent off on Saturday.

Lowe was handed a straight red card while warming up near the end of Saturday's 2-1 win over Bracknell.

Manager Jimmy Mullen is now waiting for referee Mr W Ramsay's report before he decides to appeal over his first choice custodian's freak dismissal.

He said: "Matt says he didn't say anything to the referee and claims it was someone from the crowd.

"I'll wait to see what the ref says before we decide to appeal.

"If it's proven he's done something he shouldn't then what he's done is absolutely stupid."

Mullen was also furious about Mr Ramsay's handling of a game that flared into a brawl in the closing minutes.

He said: "I don't know how anyone can officiate over a game and be so arrogant.

"He seemed intent on blowing up whenever Paul Szewcyk touched the ball.

"He also seemed to let Bracknell's players get away with a lot when he was harsh on ours."

Rovers bolstered their squad this week by bringing back striker Richard Burgess for the third time.

Burgess, who was released by Halesowen Town, signed up until the end of the season on December 16.

The striker was orginally brought to Rovers by manager George Rooney in 2000, but left for Northampton Town after a successful trial just a few months later.

Gary Hackett and Jon Ford brought Burgess back to the Victoria Ground after he failed to win his place in the first team squad at Port Vale and helped them top the Southern League Western Division for much of the season.

However, he made a controversial move to local rivals Redditch United at the start of the 2003/2004 campaign and was an integral part of the squad which helped them seal the Western Division title and promotion to the Nationwide Conference North.

However, Burgess found himself out of favour under United manager Rod Brown at the beginning of this season and joined Halesowen.

Mullen also brought in former Telford AFC attacking midfielder Matt Johnson last week.

Mullen was also delighted with the midfielder's performance when he replaced Riad Erraji in the second half.

He said: "Matt is bubbly and busy and will be a great asset to the squad."

Peter McKinney