Are our refs playing their cards right?

Mar 12 2008 Ayrshire Post

AYR United are facing an end of season SFA rap after running up an astonishing nine red cards, four of them since the turn of the year.

And a staggering 65 yellows, including 57 in the league, has sent their crime count soaring.

But just how fair have Ayr’s reds collection been or are referees losing the plot in their eagerness to stamp their mark and become the most noticed man on the park.

Postsport looks back at the sea of red from the start of the season and gives our verdicts on the cards dished out by those in black.

Andy McLaren: 2-3 Queen's Park (h) August 11: straight red after he was held by the throat after his penalty box challenge for a loose ball prompted an all-out melee. Ayr appeal was thrown out. Ref: Steve O'Reilly. Verdict: Unjust.

Alex Williams: 1-2 Peterhead (h) September 29: straight red after a high challenge on Iain Good. Ref: Alan Muir. Verdict: No complaints.

Mark Casey: 1-4 Cowdenbeath (h) December 1: two yellow cards. Ref: David Somers; Verdict: Harsh.

Gareth Wardlaw: 0-3 Peterhead (a) December 8: retaliated to rough treatment with sly kick. Ref: Stuart McDonald; Verdict: Fair.

David Lowing: 1-1 Queen's Park (h) December 26: straight red for challenge on Stuart Kettlewell. Ref: Callum Murray: Verdict: Dubious.

Ryan Stevenson: 3-1 Queen's Park (h) January 26: raised his hands to defend himself as opponents breenged in and held him by the neck. Ref: Steve Conroy. Verdict: Unjust.

Eddie Forrest: 0-3 Peterhead (h) February 9: accused of intimidating ref after award of second penalty, both within the final minute. Ref: Chris Boyle. Verdict: Harsh.

David Lowing: 0-3 Brechin (h) February 23: wild challenge on Michael Paton. Ref: George Salmond; Verdict: Banged to rights.

Chris Robertson: 1-1 Airdrie Utd (h) February 27: accused of petulant kick at Kevin McDonald but video footage appears to clear him. Verdict: not proven.

Stats as of Monday March 10.