WORCESTER City captain Brad Birch insisted referee Josh Warren had made a “rash” and incorrect call by sending him off against Sherwood Colliery.

Birch became the third City player to pick up a straight red card in as many matches having caught an opponent with a flailing arm in the 53rd minute of Saturday’s 4-3 FA Vase victory.

The skipper, sent off during an FA Cup tie with Chasetown in August, denied any malice and suggested he would review the footage before deciding what to do next.

Unless there is a successful appeal, Birch will miss four matches due to his indiscretion earlier in the campaign.

“All I went to do was block off the man,” Birch told the Worcester News. “I know my arm was high but there was no intention to elbow him like the referee said.

“As he (his opponent) went to run past me, I just tried to block him. For me, it was not a red card but that was not how the referee saw it.

“I did not realise he (Warren) had seen it because I ran from behind him. The decision was a bit rash, he did not even consult his assistant, he listened to what they said and pulled out the red straight away.

“Hopefully, we have the video of it and can see what it looks like. We will wait and see.”

Birch argued the decision had been indicative of low refereeing standards at City’s level this season.

“I am fuming to be honest. It is a long period to be sat watching games,” he said.

“The first red card I had this season should not have been given and now this. It is poor really, I am so angry.”

Asked whether he would consider adjusting his game, Birch added: “You should not have to. They (referees) should be aiming to be above their standard, you expect a good referee week in week out.

“It is one of those things you have to deal with and take into consideration, though.”

The midfielder lauded the effort of his colleagues to see through the victory and backed City to cut out the sloppy moments that saw a two-goal lead evaporate briefly before half-time.

“The work rate the lads showed was second to none. I can only apologise to the fans and the lads who deserve all the credit for getting us through to the next round,” said Birch.

“I don’t know if it is nerves, when we go 2-0 up maybe we get a bit lethargic at times and think the game is done.

“We should be looking for more goals and to see out the game. We made it hard for ourselves again, it is about game management, playing percentage football and make them defend, not us.

“We will get there, though. Everyone is still learning, it is early days but we will get there.”