Maidstone boss Jay Saunders said Billy Bricknell was stupid to get himself sent off for swearing at a linesman – but understood his frustration.

Bricknell had a moment of madness after a penalty appeal was turned down at Bury on Tuesday. He was shown a straight red card that will see him serve a three-match ban.

Saunders said: “Bill apologised straight away – he couldn’t stop apologising – but he’s lost himself in the moment. He’s new to the club and is trying his hardest to settle in and impress.

“He’s come in with big expectations with everyone thinking he’s going to score loads of goals. He’s been made fully aware his actions weren’t acceptable and he’ll be fined accordingly.

“I don’t condone what Bill did – he was stupid for doing it – but it should have been a penalty and players do get frustrated sometimes. It doesn’t make it right but most players lose it at some point. He’d never been sent-off before.”

Maidstone also had Steve Watt and James Rogers booked for dissent, with the pair facing two-game bans after reaching 10 yellow cards.

But Rogers was wrongly cautioned by a referee who Saunders believes felt the pressure of having an assessor in the stands.

The Stones boss said: “On the night, the referee set himself up. He approached the benches, said he was being assessed and there might be a few more cards than normal. The FA shouldn’t make referees aware they’re sending an assessor.

“Rogo got booked for having a go at Matt Bodkin where the referee thought it was aimed at him. He did apologise for getting it wrong but we now lose Rogo for two games for his 10th booking and Watty as well."