Motherwell will appeal against Scott McDonald’s red card against St Mirren.
The striker was ordered off in the final minute of the match with the defeat putting the Lanarkshire club into a play-off to retain their place in the top flight.
McDonald clashed with Saints striker Thomas Reilly with referee Brian Colvin appearing to issue the red card on the say-so of fourth official Andrew Dallas.
A three match suspension would rule McDonald out of next week’s match against Partick Thistle but more importantly from both legs of the play-off final.
“That would be a travesty because it’s a poor decision,” Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough said about a possible three match suspension. “I’ve seen it back time and time again already. Scott has not made contact, there’s no maliciousness to go and make contact and I think when the officials see it they will agree.
“It’s a massive call at a big time in the season and we will appeal. It won’t be a frivolous appeal either. Scotty’s distraught down there. He’s angry and has every right to be.
“He was expecting a challenge from behind and has gone to hold the man off but that has been deemed as throwing an elbow.
“I’m still not sure who made the decision. I was invited in at the end and they said it as a ?collective. I don’t believe the ?referee saw it as such so he’s going on the people around him, which is quite right.
“But I was in the same position as the fourth official and the linesman – and how you could be sure from that angle is ?something that’s getting at me.
“To be missing someone like that would be a blow to us but it wouldn’t be the end of the world. There are players who can go and affect the game.”
Motherwell will play Hibs or Sevco for a place in the top flight.
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