CONFERENCE

York City....................5 Forest Green Rovers..........1

FOREST GREEN boss Gary Owers will hope video evidence will help clear Byron Anthony controversial red card after the on-loan Cardiff City central defender was sent off just 13 minutes into Saturday's 5-1 Conference defeat at York City.

Anthony was red-carded when referee Anthony Taylor adjudged his tackle on York's Clayton Donaldson denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Owers said: "We have notified the FA of our intention to lodge an appeal, and video evidence will be forwarded to Soho Square.

"It wasn't even a penalty - it was a fantastic tackle."

Owers was equally frustrated that he was denied the opportunity to discuss his gripe with the match official.

He added: "I'm not allowed to speak to the referee, besides which he had 95 people around him as he came off the pitch so he's got more protection than the Queen.

"We came here and had three people booked and one sent off before we've even had a decision in our favour. If that sounds like sour grapes then it probably is because he Taylor was shocking.

Earlier, Andy Bishop hit a hat-trick in York's rout of 10-man Forest Green.

He scored from the spot after 12 minutes when Byron fouled Clayton Donaldson and was sent off.

David McGurk added a second before Abdou Sall gave Forest Green hope, but Bishop hit his second after 38 minutes before scoring again with a great lob.

It took his tally to 17 for the season before new signing Stephen Thomas weighed in with his first goal for York to wrap up the win.

GOALS: Andy Bishop 15 pen, McGurk 24, Abdou Sall 34, Andy Bishop 39, 41, Thomas 61.

Forest Green: Clarke, Searle, Sall (Simpson 45), Graham, Byron, McConnell, Brough (Rogers 45), Gadsby, Meechan, Abbey, Madjo (Teixeira 62). Subs Not Used: Beesley, Harrison. Sent Off: Byron (14). Booked: Meechan, Brough. Attendance: 2,314 Referee: A Taylor (Manchester).

*FOREST GREEN welcome Kidderminster Harriers to The Lawn on Saturday (3pm).

*ROVERS have launched an appeal to fans to help with the decorating of their new stadium.

Please contact John Whiffen on 01453 890694 or 07779 732228.