DEFENSIVE midfielder Ben Pollock said he was ‘gutted’ after being sent off for a challenge in the first half against Curzon Ashton.

The 22-year-old was given a controversial red card by replacement referee Liam Corbett in the first half during the 1-1 draw.

Afterwards Pollock sent a tweet out stating: “Gutted to get sent off today but will come back right…”

Hereford’s interim boss Josh Gowling sympathised with the youngster and said he was ‘different class’ prior to the sending off.

“I spoke to Ben (Pollock) about it and he was reaching for it wasn’t he,” said Gowling.

“Because he left the ground and was quite high, I can see why it was give. That’s just over-eagerness but for the 30 minutes Ben was on he was different class, he marshalled in front of the back four really well, broke things up and won second balls.

“He was a bit down and upset in the changing room but we spoke to him and said the 30 minutes you gave us was different class.

“We can’t wait to get him back.”

Hereford Times:

Referee Corbett came under criticism by Hereford fans as minutes before Pollocks’ red Daniel Shaw was only shown a yellow despite bringing down Alex Bray as he looked through on goal.

“Referees have a hard job and the guy (Daniel Shaw) should have went when Alex (Bray) went through on goal,” Gowling added.

“Regardless of where his touch was his next touch is a shot so he’s got to go there to be honest. It is hard for him (the referee) and I don’t want to bash him as we might have him again soon.

“He made some mistakes but it’s football and it evened itself out at the end. They broke down here in the second half with a handball and nearly scored but we dug in and were resilient.”

However, Corbett did have Hereford a second half injury time penalty after Rowan Liburd was brought down inside the box and Tom Owen-Evans fired home the equaliser.

When asked if he thought it was a penalty, Gowling added: “I don’t know my eyes aren’t great in the dark so I’m not sure,

“It was a difficult one. It looked like a coming together and Rowan (Liburd) went down and he’s a big lad. But we got it and that’s what counts.”