Smith hit with FA misconduct charge

AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith has been slapped with an FA misconduct charge following a heated run-in with the referee after the Easter clash at Ilkeston.

Smith is set to deny the charge but will not request a personal hearing, with the club having until April 27 to submit their paperwork.

The alleged offence relates to verbal abuse supposedly used by Smith towards Barnsley official Ryan Newman following the game on Easter Saturday, where defender Adam Dugdale was controversially sent off.

Smith also claimed both Ilkeston goals in his side's 2-1 defeat should have been disallowed due to fouls in the build-up.

Bucks chairman Lee Carter today leapt to his manager's defence, lamenting the fact that the referee's performance would not come under investigation.

"We are preparing our response and will be lodging the necessary paperwork for an appeal," he confirmed.

"Rob will be denying the charge and lodging a letter rather than requesting a personal hearing.

"Unfortunately, that referee doesn't have to endure a similar level of scrutiny.

"We all know how important that game was for this football club.

"There were key decisions in that game that went against us and there is no process to assess how the referee performed."

Smith's latest run-in with authority comes just a week after defender Lee Vaughan was also hit with an FA rap for using abusive language towards a referee.

Vaughan landed himself in hot water for his reaction after being sent off in the 1-1 draw at Hyde last month.

He admitted the charge and is still awaiting to hear the verdict.

Telford are hoping Vaughan will be available for Saturday's clash with Corby, as they already have several players missing through injury or suspension.

Dugdale serves a one game ban, while Shane Killock and Jon Adams (hamstring) are both sidelined.

By CHRIS HUDSON