CRESTFALLEN City boss Ashley Vincent insisted there would be “no point” questioning Luke Rowe’s costly red card with “hit and miss” referee Kurt Bartlett.

Rowe will serve a three-match ban and miss City’s crunch FA Vase fourth round tie with Midland Football League leaders Coventry United after being dismissed in injury time of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Highgate United.

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Worcester had led 2-0 with five minutes of normal time remaining but the Gate had clawed it back when the ex-Coventry City youngster overstretched in a challenge on opponent Trevor Edwards.

Vincent stopped short of slamming that call in particular but felt Bartlett had produced an off-colour display and that he had been influenced by savvy opponents chasing a last-ditch winner.

“It was a late tackle,” said Vincent.

“To put it in a polite way I thought the referee was hit and miss. Just before they scored from the corner we had played a ball down the side and it quite obviously deviated off their lad for a (City) corner.

“He gave a goal-kick, both him and the assistant were no more than 15 yards away, their bench was laughing at them it was so bad.

“Within 30 seconds they were down our end, got a corner and the ball was in the back of our net.

“If he (the referee) saw it as a late tackle there would be no point in arguing, they are always right. I go in and see them at the end and that is always the case.

“From what I saw he got there slightly late but we were playing a side that has all the tricks in the book. He gave a red card and we just have to get on with it.”

Rowe has started all 10 of City’s matches since signing in mid-November, looking particularly impressive in a deep-lying midfield role with his emergence aiding a run of six wins and two draws during his stint in blue and white.

“It is a massive blow. Luke is an important player for us, he has been fantastic and he will learn from this,” added Vincent.

“He probably needed to make that tackle in that situation, he is a winner and just mistimed that one.

“We will have to cope and deal with it and when that Vase game comes around we will select a side to compete and hopefully get to the next round.

“There is another game before that and I will have to pick them up because it won’t only feel like a defeat to me.”

Rowe’s suspensions begins when City entertain AFC Wulfrunians in the league on Saturday. Club officials will check whether his suspension covers the Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup tie with Worcester Raiders on Wednesday, January 8.