GARRY Richards admitted that he was “devastated” to be sent off during Saturday's 2-0 reverse at Huddersfield.Centre-half Richards could not believe referee Graham Salisbury's decision to send him off for a “professional foul” on striker David Graham early in the second half.

By Carl Marston

GARRY Richards admitted that he was “devastated” to be sent off during Saturday's 2-0 reverse at Huddersfield.

Centre-half Richards could not believe referee Graham Salisbury's decision to send him off for a “professional foul” on striker David Graham early in the second half.

The 19-year-old is now waiting to hear his fate, in terms of suspension. He is hoping that he receives just a one-match ban, to be served against Walsall on Tuesday, rather than miss out on Sunday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Chelsea.

“He (Graham) had his arm around me, so it was really a foul by him if anything. I took my arm away and he fell,” revealed Richards.

“The referee was well behind play. I was expecting him to give us the free-kick, and I couldn't believe it when he ran towards me and flashed me the red card.

“I felt it was very harsh. You get these knock-backs in your career, but I feel very hard done by. I don't know what my punishment will be. It's a big week for us.

“The league is still the priority, so Tuesday night is a massive match. I had just got myself into the side, and things were going well, so I'm very frustrated,” added Richards.

Experienced midfielder Kevin Watson expressed his sympathy for teenage team-mate Richards, who was making only his 14th appearance in the first team.

Watson rued: “It was a very harsh decision to go against Garry (Richards). He had played well in recent games, and he was doing well again today against a very experienced striker in Boothy (Andy Booth).

“The referee was very quick in making his decision, and I've asked him to go and have another look at it, and perhaps consider down-grading it to a yellow card.

“The ball was rolling back to Aidan (Davison) anyway. I've told Garry not to worry about. These things happen in football,” added Watson.

It was an unhappy return to Yorkshire for ex-Rotherham midfielder Watson, although he was in a reflective mood at the final whistle.

“It's only one knock-back,” insisted Watson.

“This defeat cannot take away what we have achieved on our recent run of winning 20 out of 22 matches. And we played well. We were quicker to the loose balls and it all seemed to come together. It was an easy game to play in.

“Their first goal took a big deflection, and their second was the result of a mix-up. We cannot believe that we've lost 2-0, but we must remember that we are still in a healthy position,” concluded Watson.