Spireites hopeful over appeal for Anderson's '˜harsh' red card

Manager Gary Caldwell was critical of referee Simon Hooper at full-time, saying the man in charge didn’t ‘know the rules,’ when it came to fouls in the box.

Anderson bundled over Shakers striker Ryan Lowe in a challenge more clumsy than malicious and after a penalty was awarded, the on-loan Burnley defender was sent off.

Caldwell is optimistic that the red card, Anderson’s second of the season, will be chalked off.

“I felt at the time it was harsh, I’m pretty hopeful we’ll get a positive response from the appeal,” he said.

“There was one in the Newcastle and Forest game with an innocuous challenge and a red card that was appealed and got rescinded.

“I don’t think Tom has seen him, it’s clumsy and I agree it’s a penalty but to say he’s deliberately brought him down or that Lowe is even going to get on the end of the ball in the speed of the game is all just judgement from the ref that I think he got wrong.”

Caldwell believes the rules on fouls in the area, by keepers and outfield players, have become a difficult issue for officials.

“There is confusion around a lot of rules in football, they seem to change it every year and make them more complicated,” he said.

“I thought it was just a penalty and a yellow card, I didn’t even think he could be possibly sent off.

“Every year the rules get more challenging for referees.”

Caldwell’s men travel to Millwall tonight for another tricky assignment.

For the second game in a few days they’ll have to compete without the services of three regular starters.

Dion Donohue and Jon Nolan have joined Ched Evans on the injured list.

Caldwell said: “Similar injuries.

“Both are progressing well but probably not quick enough for Tuesday.”