Smith appeals over dismissal

Boss Rob Smith will request a personal hearing over his dismissal in AFC Telford United's 1-0 defeat to Kettering - insisting he is a victim of mistaken identity.

The Bucks boss was ordered from the touchline for allegedly abusing an assistant referee, though injured club captain Steve Jagielka has since admitted making the offending remark.

The incident came as Telford had what looked a perfectly good Lee Moore goal disallowed 10 minutes before half-time.

"We'll have to wait and see what the referee's report says," said Smith. "I'm sure I'll initially be charged and we'll request a personal hearing.

"I didn't speak to the linesman at all until after, to tell him he got it wrong.

"Jags admitted making the remark, though even that wasn't directed at the linesman, and he'll come along to the appeal hearing."The result ended Telford's unbeaten home record this season and meant they missed out on the chance to go second in the Blue Square North table.

Both Smith and assistant Larry Chambers were happy with the performance though, insisting the match officials had cost them.

"It's easy when you lose to sit here and criticise the officials, but I thought they were shocking," said Chambers.

"Their defender Nicky Eaden fell over when Lee Moore went through. He came up to us at the end of the game - we didn't approach him - and admitted he fell over, Lee Moore didn't touch him.

"How the linesman can flag and say categorically it was a foul, I don't know. I thought they were inconsistent throughout and they were very poor.

"I don't want to harp on about it though, and I thought our second half performance was fantastic.

"As a management team, when you put in a performance like that you haven't got too many worries."

Meanwhile, the Bucks were this afternoon hoping to complete the loan signing of a mystery striker from a Football League club in time for tomorrow's Setanta Shield clash with Redditch.