Winger Marc Pugh today pledged to fight back from his Shrewsbury Town red card heartache – as midfielder Kevin McIntyre faced up to the prospect of an injury absence.

While weekend scans on McIntyre confirmed a double fracture of the fibula in his right leg sustained during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Port Vale, Pugh was coming to terms with the first sending off of his career in the same game.

The 21-year-old received what appeared an extremely harsh straight red card from referee Trevor Kettle for a tackle on Anthony Griffith – just three minutes after coming on as a second half substitute.

Pugh was last seen on the Shrewsbury first team stage at Morecambe on September  6, and was understandably distraught at seeing his chance to impress snatched away from him.

“I was just in shock when it happened because I have had such a frustrating season,” said Pugh, who followed Vale’s former AFC Telford forward Kyle Perry in receiving a red card.

“I’ve been working hard trying to get back in the team, I get my chance, set off quite brightly and this happens.  But that’s life and I just have to get on with it. It’s the first red card of my career and the lads who train with me every day will tell you I’m just not that kind of player.

“I won the ball fair and square but what can you do? I’m just gutted.

“As a young kid, my dad and a couple of coaches back home always taught me to stay mentally strong and things will turn for you however bad a situation you are in, so I have to remain positive and work hard.”

Shrewsbury officials were today pondering whether to appeal the decision in an attempt to get the three-match ban overturned.

And Simpson was clearly baffled by the decision in the immediate aftermath of the game.

“I really don’t know where he has got the red card for Marc Pugh from,” said the Town boss.

“I will need to look at it again but I was in a good position. I can’t hide and say I didn’t see it because I did see it,” he said.

“The ruling says that if you leave the ground and make any connection it’s a red card.

“He didn’t leave the ground and he won the ball.”

Simpson, meanwhile, is waiting for the full prognosis on McIntyre.

“It’s a big blow for Kevin and for us as he has been doing well recently,” he added.

“We will have a better idea of the long term prognosis once we have seen the specialist and will have a better understanding how it will affect us.”

By JAMES GARRISON