Matt Dennis will miss Carlisle United’s crucial game at Accrington Stanley – because of a protein shake.
The striker was sent off in the closing stages of the dramatic 3-2 win over Port Vale having already been substituted.
Dennis, who had initially been booked for taking too long to leave the pitch, was then shown a second yellow card by referee Martin Woods in the chaotic scenes after Gabe Breeze’s dramatic injury-time penalty save.
Head coach Mark Hughes later revealed exactly why the frontman was dismissed.
“I thought he was unlucky,” said Hughes, who was also booked by Woods following the penalty.
“He [Dennis] got booked just for taking a little bit of time to come off, but very rarely that happens. The referee was a little bit pedantic there.
“But I think he [then] just got wrapped up in the emotion. He had a bottle of protein shake in his hand, and he’s just thrown it onto the pitch, which clearly you can’t do.
“There’s always going to be a booking there. Given that he’d already been booked, he just didn’t realise the consequences of that. It’s a real blow because he’s been an important part of things.
“He scored a good goal in the game and the partnership with Georgie Kelly has been strong for us.
“But we’ve got good players who can come in.”
Dennis, who has scored four goals in 12 United appearances, will now serve a one-game suspension for the Easter Monday game at Accrington, when Carlisle will bid to reduce further their four-point gap to safety and keep their survival hopes alive.
His absence could see Hughes turn to Joe Hugill, who came off the bench in the closing stages of the Port Vale win, with other striker options including Cedwyn Scott, who has been omitted from recent 18-man matchday squads.
Attacking midfielder Elliot Embleton will also be available on Monday after completing a three-match ban.
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