Maidstone United will appeal Steve Watt's red card against Leiston.

Stones are to submit picture evidence with the FA on Monday showing Watt did not go in two-footed on Joe Francis.

Watt, who faces a three-match ban if the appeal is thrown out, is certain referee Gary Jerden made a mistake.

The Stones skipper said: "It's a foul but it's never a red card, especially when the referee has said he's sent me off for going in straight-legged, two-footed, with both feet off the floor.

"I can't go in two-footed from my position in the photo.

"He's toed the ball, I've lunged away from the ball, there's no time to get my left foot off the floor because my right leg's about to hit the floor and I'm at the end of my range.

"If the referee puts in his report what he's told everybody, then I hope the photo can get the red card revoked because that's clearly not what happened."

Watt was grateful for the chance to speak to referee Jerden after the game.

He added: "I showed him how I made the challenge and why I went in for it. I didn't lunge at the player. I went where the ball was going.

"He's got there before me. I've not caught him with the foot I've tackled with. It's more he's ran into me afterwards while I'm on the floor.

"If it was as the referee said, the player would have been down getting treatment, not asking why I'd been sent off.

"It's so frustrating to get sent off for something like that.

"I expected a foul and a booking but never a straight red. It's the first straight red of my career. The only other time I've been sent off was for two yellows when I first joined Maidstone.

"I'm a player that tackles hard. I'm fully committed to every tackle but I never go out to hurt anyone.

"I've been injured enough in my career and I wouldn't wish that on anyone, so there's no way I'd set out to do that.

“If I’d done wrong, I'd be holding my hands up and apologising.

"Part of me wishes I'd not gone for the tackle but I'm a defender and you go with your instincts."

Maidstone were leading 2-0 when Watt was dismissed four minutes into the second half.

Leiston, who were already down to 10 men, pulled a goal back before equalising in injury time.

Watt said: "My sending off shouldn't have affected us as much as it did but it's cost us two points.

"From our point of view, it's unacceptable to be 2-0 up and concede two late goals.

"It's happened too often this season and it's got to stop. We can't keep saying we're unlucky. I won't let it happen again - I can guarantee that."