RONNIE MOORE admits an appeal against Scott Harrison’s sending-off could be lodged today.

The Hartlepool United centre-half was red-carded in Saturday’s home defeat to Crawley, the ball crashing off his upper arm as he turned away from a goalbound shot on 65 minutes.

Referee Mark Haywood angered Moore and the Victoria Park crowd and the manager said: "We will have another look at the sending off, if we think we can appeal we will, what do we have to lose?

"If we genuinely think he hasn't handballed it then yes but that is not the part that disappoints me most.’’

Tellingly, Moore added: "It was how their lad got into the position to make the shot in the first place.

"The man on the ball was the danger, not the line. Space doesn't hurt you, it is the man on the ball we needed to close down.

"We didn't get there quick enough.

"Looking at it again it is harsh to give but we shouldn't have been in that position.’’

Harrison will face a one-game ban if there’s no successful appeal, missing Saturday’s game at AFC Wimbledon.

"It is very frustrating [changing the defence] again,’’ said Moore. "We don't have that many options there, Batesy could come in.

"But we wouldn't appeal it for that reason, if we think it is right then we will do it."

Mark Yates, the Crawley boss, admitted he did have some sympathy for Pools – but felt the red card was the right call.

“For the penalty, it’s a clear call as far as I’m concerned,’’ he claimed. “The follow up from Gwion Edwards was drilled in and the lads raised his arm on the line – as clear cut as I’ve seen.

“Referees don’t have any choice in the matter these days, it’s a red card straight away.

“It’s harsh on Hartlepool, you lose a player and have a penalty awarded against you – it’s double jeopardy and maybe we should all campaign against the principles of it.’’