LEE PROTHEROE will miss Gravesend & Northfleet's opening Conference match of the season against Northwich following his sending off against Gillingham last Saturday.

He was dismissed by Football League referee Ian Gosling in the 43rd minute for deliberate handball. Gills scored from the resulting penalty to seal a 2-0 win.

Fleet secretary Roly Edwards checked with the FA later and was told that Protheroe must serve a one-match ban.

“It seems that the days are gone when a referee in charge of a friendly could request that a manager substitute any offending player,” said Mr Edwards.

Mr Edwards denied a report that Mr Gosling was under pressure from an assessor in the stand.

“There was no assessor at the match,” he confirmed. “Before the game the referee made it clear to both managers that he would apply the letter of the law which meant he would show red and yellow cards."

Manager Andy Ford has confirmed he is working on bringing in another two players to bolster his squad in time for the club’s weekend West Country visit.

Fleet play Salisbury on Friday and Dorchester on Saturday. Next Tuesday, August 3, they entertain Welling.