Hawks handed major blow after Danny Kedwell red card appeal proves unsuccessful

The forward was dismissed in the surprise 2-1 home defeat to St Albans City at Westleigh Park last weekend.

He received a straight red card following an aerial challenge with the Saints' defender Tom Bendtner.

As a result, Kedwell now starts a three-match suspension which is a blow for the Hawks.

The striker has every right to feel aggrieved as few in the ground felt he deserved his fate.

There was a confident feeling of optimism in the Hawks' camp that the red card would be rescinded at an FA hearing.

The club provided two lots of video evidence and also a supporting statement from the St Albans player himself.

Despite this, the FA decided to uphold the referee's decision.

Manager Paul Doswell is frustrated at losing his influential striker.

‘I don't think it was even a foul, let alone a red card,’ bemoaned Doswell.

‘Tom Bendtner, who I have known for a long time, admitted that he ran into our player.

‘It was a massive call by the referee.

‘Not only did we go down to 10-men but when St Albans equalised the ball went into an area Kedwell would have been defending.

‘The problem is you can never be sure with FA appeals about which way they will go.’

There is no doubt that Kedwell's absence will be felt by the Hawks in the coming weeks.

The experienced striker has played a major part in helping the Hawks cement their place in the play-off places.

Although the 36-year-old is at the twilight of his career, he has been putting in some sterling performances.

Kedwell has the uncanny knack of getting ahead or above defenders to win his headers.

His flick-ons and neat touches have set up a host of chances for his fellow strikers.

On top of that, he is also prepared to track back and help his defenders out.

He has made big contributions inside his own area defending corners and free-kicks.

The Hawks were frustrated by the weather this weekend as their game at Welling United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

As a result, their play-off rivals Slough and Weymouth were able to leapfrog above the fifth-placed Hawks.

Leaders Wealdstone had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Dartford, which means Doswell's side are eight points behind them with 11 games left to play.

The Hawks travel to Billericay Town on Tuesday with the only unbeaten away league record remaining in the top six divisions of English football.

Premier League leaders Liverpool's shock 3-0 defeat at Watford means Doswell's side are the sole team now boasting that record.