KARL Duguid was shown a red card but not sent off in an incident-packed clash at Layer Road on Saturday.The Colchester United skipper was the victim of a blunder by referee Danny McDermid, who endured a torrid afternoon on his debut in the Championship.

By Carl Marston

KARL Duguid was shown a red card but not sent off in an incident-packed clash at Layer Road on Saturday.

The Colchester United skipper was the victim of a blunder by referee Danny McDermid, who endured a torrid afternoon on his debut in the Championship.

The London-based official initially sent off Duguid, apparently for two bookable offences in the 87th minute of an edgy 1-1 draw against impressive Leicester City. It as only after consulting with his fourth official that Mr McDermid realised that he had not booked Duguid earlier in the game.

“I got booked three times and sent off, but still stayed on the pitch!” quipped Duguid.

“Sometimes referees are on the ball, and sometimes not. He told me that he was going to book me. I said fair enough, but he then told me that he'd booked me already.

“I said that he hadn't, but he kept saying it. I tried to help him out by telling him that I hadn't been booked in the first-half, but he then showed me a yellow and red card.

“He had to go over to the fourth official to sort it out. He then came back and gave me just a yellow card. He seemed to make a few bad decisions, but I can't really comment on referees.”

Chris Iwelumo salvaged a point by converting a 48th minute penalty, after Iain Hume had fired Leicester into a 19th minute lead.