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Dartford boss Tony Burman had no complaints about red card but rued his side's lack of cutting edge

Tony Burman had no arguments about Alex Brown's red card in the 1-0 FA Trophy second round home defeat by Chelmsford.

The Dartford midfielder was dismissed in first half stoppage-time after a challenge on Chelmsford's Anthony Church, which sparked off angry scenes between both sets of players - completely out of context from the rest of the first half - which was spirited and well fought.

However Burman's biggest concern was his side didn't reach top gear.

Alex Brown (obscured on ground) sees red after his challenge on Chelmsford's Anthony Church Pix Andy Payton
Alex Brown (obscured on ground) sees red after his challenge on Chelmsford's Anthony Church Pix Andy Payton

He said: "I had no complaints about the sending off.

"There was no intent or malice about it - Alex's foot was up in the air, and by the letter of the law he had to go.

"It happened thirty seconds before half-time and cost us a little bit - Alex knew what he had done, and what was to follow, he caught their player on the side of the head or face."

Burman added: "I thought we were the better side on the day, but that doesn't always win you games - it's about taking your chances.

"We didn't test the keeper enough, everything went straight at him, and I just felt we were in third gear, and quite happy, but when we move into fourth or fifth we are a different side.

"We played all right up until the final third, but wasn't ruthless enough, and it didn't quite happen.

"The sending-off changed things, but I thought we were excellent in the second half with 10-men, and I felt a set-piece or something might change the game, and it did, but not in our favour."

Duane Ofori-Acheampong puts Chelmsford keeper Ross Fitzsimons under pressure Pic Andy Payton
Duane Ofori-Acheampong puts Chelmsford keeper Ross Fitzsimons under pressure Pic Andy Payton

"I was a bit upset to concede in the way we did, the header was just a knockdown, and maybe we didn't have a man on the post, because were down to 10-men.

"Even when the keeper spilled one in the second half, we weren't there to capitalise on that mistake.

"It's a setback for us to be out of the Trophy - and we now concentrate on facing Weston-super-Mare at home in the league on Tuesday.

"We have to dust ourselves down and move on, we always look to be consistent and bounce back after a defeat, and the most important game is the next one."

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