Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has slammed the referee for his decision to send off captain Jamie Collins during the U’s 3-0 defeat to Bromley.

The skipper was given his marching order by Neil Hair shortly after the hour for what appeared to be a deliberate stamp on defender Luke Woolfenden.

It was following discussions with fourth official Jack Packman and nearside linesman Marcus Carmichael that the decision was made.

Doswell told Sutton Guardian: “I mean, the sending off of Jamie Collins is probably one of the worst decisions that any of one of us are going to see, we’ve all re-seen it on the TV and the fourth official has seen something that no one else in the ground has seen.

“It’s changed the approach for us because with 10 men, it was hard enough with 11 men against Bromley, but with 10 men [there was] no chance.

“The referee didn’t see anything, the linesman didn’t see anything, he was totally guided by his fourth official. He said Jamie maliciously stamped on his [Woolfenden] thigh. Again, we’ve all seen the TV, BT [Sport] have highlighted it as part of their package today and it’s a very poor decision.

“But, let’s just say this, I don’t think it would have made a huge difference. I think Bromley were deserved winners today and I don’t think that would have been enough for us to really get back in the game today.”

Promotion-chasing United conceded inside 10 minutes when striker Brandon Hanlan poked the ball home before George Porter was brought down inside the box by shot-stopper Jamie Butler on half-time.

Winger Adam Mekki converted from 12 yards out to double Bromley’s advantage before substitute Josh Rees finished off the tie with 10 minutes remaining.

Now, with six games left, Doswell’s side is aiming to finish either second or third and reach the EFL’s League Two for the first time in the club’s 120-year history, but also have the dilemma of ensuring their pitch at the Knights Community Stadium meets the required standards.

He added: “Well it’s always been the biggest quandary. It’s the biggest quandary for this football club, but ultimately we have a plan in place.

“The contractors would be in here the day after we knew we were promoted and it will be replaced with a hybrid grass pitch, which will be excellent in quality. But as I said to everyone, it’s not something that we want to do but something we might have to do.”

It was an Easter to forget for Sutton who saw Good Friday’s 3-2 half-time lead at Maidenhead wiped out by the weather.

Craig Eastmond, Simon Walton and Louis John all found the target for the U’s but the referee abandoned the game at the break with the pitch waterlogged.

United face a tough task this weekend when they visit high-flying Fylde.

The Lancashire side have created quite a stir in their first season at National League level having beaten Tranmere Rovers 4-1, league leaders Macclesfield Town 6-0 and Aldershot 7-1.

The U’s then travel to Halifax Town on Tuesday night (April 10) for a rearranged fixture.