Hereford United full back Ryan Valentine says Kasper Schmeichel should have seen red for his challenge on team mate Marc Pugh during the Bulls’ 2-0 defeat to Notts County.
Schmeichel collided with Pugh during the early stages of Saturday’s clash at Edgar Street and despite conceding a penalty, the Danish under-21 international received only a yellow card.
Valentine, who saw his penalty attempt saved by Schmeichel, said he thought the former Manchester City player should have received his marching orders.
He said: “In my view, if the keeper come out and is the last man and takes the forward down it’s a straight red.”
“Marc had done well to get there before Schmeichel brought him down but the referee said the ball wasn’t going towards the goal – the disappointing thing is the way the referee viewed it.
“If I had scored from he penalty earlier on we could have gone on to win the game – but when I missed it wasn’t too long after that they nicked the last goal.
“Obviously I am disappointed with myself for missing the penalty but he is a good goalkeeper, probably one of the best in the lower leagues.”
Winger Pugh, who was also impeded late in the second half, also thought Schmeichel should have been sent off.
“He was the last man and in the rules he should have been sent off,” he said.
“On another day he could have been sent off but today unfortunately for us it was a yellow card.”
Following the Schmeichel save the Magpies took the lead in the 31st minute when striker Lee Hughes slipped the ball onto Craig Westcarr, who beat goalkeeper Adam Bartlett from close range.
Former Shrewsbury striker Luke Rodgers then went close to doubling the Magpies’ advantage with an 18-yard drive which flashed wide of the far upright.
But six minutes into the second half the Magpies struck again when central defender Mike Edwards volleyed a free kick from Ben Davies past Bartlett for County’s second goal.
United boss John Trewick was quick to echo the words of Valentine following the defeat but admitted his side failed to recapture the form they displayed in the midweek win over Northampton.
While the result is a blow for Hereford, they will be looking to put it behind them ahead of Saturday’s trip to Macclesfield in League Two.
The Silkmen will hope for a better result against the Bulls following their 3-0 drubbing at the hands of high-flying Rochdale.
