Macca not blotted by red card shame

Stafford Rangers assistant boss Darren Read insists on-loan defender Craig McAughtrie has not put his chances of a permanent deal in doubt with his red card.

The centre-half was sent off in the last game of the season at Workington on Saturday, sitting out the second-half of the 1-1 draw after verbals with the referee's assistant.

McAughtrie now returns to Blue Square North rivals Eastwood to sit out the closing weeks of his contract and will then become a free agent for next season.

The 29-year-old's heart is believed to be at Marston Road, having previously spent five years with the club between 2002 and 2007.

Now assistant boss Read has moved to reassure the player that his moment of madness has not cost him a future with Rangers.

He said: "Craig apologised to the gaffer, myself and the rest of the lads after the game. It was pure frustration and looking at the situation I can understand it. It was yet another poor decision by the official.

"This won't affect his future here, as he is one of our priory targets for next season. We are hoping to sit down with him when his deal is up at Eastwood and speak to him about being a part of what we can build on for next season.

"He is a fantastic player at this level, a good leader and everybody respects him."

Read also moved to explain exactly what happened and the management's view of the game at Borough Park.

He said: "It was a hand gesture aimed at the referee, purely through frustration, and the referee gave him a straight red.

"There was a bad challenge or anything in the game, yet we came away with three yellow cards and a sending off."