Hythe boss Nick Davis feels referees should give themselves more time before pulling out red cards.

The Cannons won their appeal against defender Ollie Gray’s dismissal during their Isthmian South East match at Deal earlier this month.

A goal down at the time, Hythe went on to lose 3-0 following Gray’s 27th-minute sending-off.

Davis feels the situation could have been avoided had referee Scott Rudd taken a moment to consider the incident before brandishing the red.

“We put a case together and there you go,” said Cannons boss Davis.

“It doesn’t change the result now but it was never a red card.

“The referee was a long way from the incident.

“He didn’t consult his linesman, who had a better view, he just gave a straight red like it was a two-footed tackle or something.

“Sometimes referees need to take a deep breath, have a chat with someone and then make their decision, instead of being rash in making a call that early.”

The successful appeal meant Gray was free to face Sevenoaks at home on Saturday.

But it was a frustrating afternoon as Hythe recovered from 2-0 down, only to lose 4-2 to an Oaks side who played for an hour with 10 men.

Anthony Adesite launched the comeback from the penalty spot and levelled before the break but the visitors took the points courtesy of Jefferson Aibangbee’s hat-trick - a first-minute strike and two penalties - and a Warren Mfula goal.

Davis said: “As we know, it’s difficult sometimes to play against 10 men.

“People automatically think you should win the game and we’re disappointed because we should have pushed the numerical advantage a bit more.

“From 2-0 back to 2-2, you think you’re going to go on and win but it wasn’t to be and that’s football for you.

“They changed their shape slightly and caught us on the break, which they’re good at doing with the way the team’s set up.

“It’s disappointing because in the last few games, with a stronger squad, I think we’ve done quite well.

“We’re playing some really good football and I want us to play football.

“Every time we’re together we’re getting stronger as a group, it’s just things take time.”

Hythe, who drew 1-1 at Herne Bay on Tuesday last week, thanks to a TT Walters equaliser, visit Erith Town this Saturday (3pm).

The Dockers won the reverse fixture 5-0 at Reachfields in September and sit just outside the play-off places, while the Cannons are 18th, a point clear of the relegation zone.

Davis, who expects to have a full squad available, said: “It will be a really tough game.

“It’s going to be contrasting styles.

“They play to their strengths and they’re very effective at it, so we’ll have to try and combat that.

“We’ll have our own game plan and we’ll try and take the game to them and see how it pans out.”