Hednesford boss will wait for FA ban

Hednesford manager Rob Smith will be in the home dugout for Saturday's visit of Bradford Park Avenue as he awaits an FA ban for his sending off at Stafford Rangers.

Smith and Rangers assistant boss Dorian Garner were both sent to the stands in Monday's 1-0 win for the Pitmen, after an altercation in the visitors' technical area at Marston Road.

But neither will receive their bans before Saturday's game at Keys Park and, when the FA do make their decision, there will be a period without punishment where they can appeal.

Smith said: "He tried to shake my hand to apologise after but he's landed us both in trouble when he didn't really need to.

"I didn't feel I had done anything wrong but the referee has reported it as a verbal altercation, with some pushing and shoving.

"I am going to stand my ground, it was my dugout and he came into it, I thought he went a bit overboard."

The Pitmen go into the weekend two points from the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, but Smith has written off their title chances.

A tough January brings Hednesford up against the likes of Marine, FC United of Manchester and Northwich for the first time this season.

Smith's men also face table-toppers Chester during that period and the manager believes he is being realistic.

He said: "Our aim has always been the play-offs, that's always been our aim and, if we can achieve that, it would be fantastic for the club.

"I never have thought we could win the title, because it's impossible to compete with teams like Northwich and Chester.

"That's not playing it down, it's the truth. How can you compete with teams that get 3,500 fans every week? You just can't.

"I am not saying we will throw the towel in, we will keep going, but I don't think any of us are unrealistic enough to believe we can win it."