Kettering Town midfielder Devon Kelly-Evans is set to miss their televised FA Cup second-round tie against Doncaster Rovers because of suspension.
The 28-year-old was shown a red card following a scuffle between players at the end of Kettering’s league match against Bedford Town on Saturday.
The game ended in a 2-2 draw following a 97th-minute equaliser by Bedford – but the Poppies still lead Southern League Premier Central by four points.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous, he’s one of my main players,” boss Richard Lavery said in Northampton.
“He’ll be gutted because it was handbags really. If you’re going to get sent off, get sent off for a reason, not after the game like that. It’s proper petty, isn’t it?”
Kettering beat League One neighbours Northampton Town
Kelly-Evans played the entire game when Kettering beat League One neighbours Northampton Town 2-1 in the first round.
The draw for round two paired them with Doncaster Rovers in what will be the biggest game staged at 3,000-capacity Latimer Park, the club’s home since 2013.
Lavery’s side are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, although he said the draw with Bedford – played in front of 2,093 fans – “felt like a loss”.
They will face Leiston at home on Saturday, their final warm-up for the 1 December lunchtime kick-off.
“I’ll approach the cup game after the Leiston game. I’d rather play beforehand. Hopefully we get the crowd down here next week, hopefully take three points, going into the FA Cup the week after,” Lavery added.
