‘Justice is done’ says Town boss as Kovacs’ ban is overturned

JUSTICE was done according to Town boss Gary Brabin after defender Janos Kovacs’ sending off at Darlington on Tuesday night was rescinded, writes Mark Wood.

The giant Hungarian was adjudged to be the last man when making a tackle and was duly dismissed and had been set to miss tomorrow’s FA Trophy semi-final second leg against former club York City.

But Kovacs, along with Jake Howells and Keith Keane, who were sent off in the first leg, will now all be available for the return fixture at Kenilworth Road tomorrow (Saturday).

The Town chief said: “We’re delighted. We feel like we’re complaining about things and I felt it was important that we appealed.

“We were 100 per cent confident on the night it wasn’t a sending off and it definitely changed the last 15 minutes of the game. We are glad it’s been overturned and justice has been done.

“We knew the complications if we hadn’t won the appeal it would be a further ban.

“But we felt so strongly about it that we’ve pursued and just thankful the authorities have seen sense and decided it was the wrong decision and put it right.”

And he was also thrilled to have Howells and Keane back after they served their one match bans in the 1-1 draw against the Quakers on Tuesday night.

Brabin said: “It’s a big plus in terms of bodies back into the squad so we are delighted with that.

“The Jake one, the letter of the law it’s a sending off. But common sense would tell you it’s a reaction and he’s not meant to handball. It’s so close away from him, hit at pace... It was hard to take.

“We are getting penalised for sendings off for something as trivial as that. Some of the tackles we’ve seen...”

Keane and Howells are sure to want to impress against the Minstermen as a result, but Brabin didn’t feel anyone would need lifting for the game with Wembley just one step away.

He added: “I think we work hard every day to make sure they are motivated for every game.

“Sometimes you don’t have to try as hard with certain games and we are hopeful this is one of them.

“But we are not going to be leaving any stone unturned and from our point of view we are going to be making sure everyone is up for this game tomorrow.”