Ebbsfleet captain Tom Bonner will serve a four-match suspension after the club's appeal against his second red card of the season was dismissed by the FA.

Bonner was one of four players dismissed by referee Anthony da Costa on February 27 when the Fleet drew 0-0 at home to Hayes & Yeading.

The club believed they had a strong case to overturn the decision - having chosen not to contest Anthony Cook's sending-off - but their appeal for wrongful dismissal has been dismissed.

Bonner was also sent off in the FA Trophy defeat to Oxford City in December, so his ban is longer than the normal three games.

The suspension kicks in this weekend when National League South leaders Fleet travel to Bath City.

Bonner also misses the Kent Senior Cup semi-final against Charlton next Tuesday, the home game against Hemel Hempstead the following Saturday and the Good Friday trip to Weston-super-Mare.

He could return against his former club Dartford on Easter Monday.

Ebbsfleet vice-chairman Peter Varney said: "We are naturally disappointed with the decision as we believe the video clearly shows that Tom Bonner did nothing that can be construed as violent conduct and he does not deserve this outcome."

Fit-again Kenny Clark is likely to partner Anthony Acheampong at centre-half in Bonner's absence.

The skipper is available for Tuesday night's game at Maidenhead.