MAGPIES’ boss Mark Jermyn believes the reaction to Gary Bowles’ challenge at the Avenue against Leamington on Saturday left referee Robert Dabbs “no other decision” than to send a player off from either side.

Dorchester’s Bowles put in a hefty tackle on James Mace during the 1-0 defeat for the county town side, which sparked tempers to flare and both Mace and Bowles were given their marching orders by the Weymouth-based official.

Giving his thoughts on the incident, Jermyn told Echosport: “I don’t even know if the challenge was overly that bad. Obviously it aggravated their player.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it was a good challenge, it was probably late but it was a booking at best and I think that’s how the referee saw it.

“But the way their player reacted caused all the players to come together and he has had no other decision to make than to send both players off.

“If I’m honest, I can see why he’s done it.

“Had the player (Mace) not reacted in the way that he did I think both players would have stayed on the pitch.

“It’s done and dusted in my mind and we move on now.”

On the game itself, Jermyn added: “I don’t think we should have lost the game, I’m not saying we should have won it but a draw would have been a fair reflection.”