Torquay United fail to overturn Dennis red card

Torquay United have been unsuccessful in appealing the red card given to Louis Dennis in the 1-1 draw with Maidstone United.

The 33-year-old striker has scored 13 goals this season, including 10 in his past 11 games.

He was dismissed in second-half stoppage time after a coming together with an opponent by the corner flag.

It means the striker will miss the next three matches, including the trip to fellow title-chasers Hornchurch at the end of the month.

"I think the letter of the law for violent conduct is excessive force or brutality," Wotton told BBC Radio Devon.

"You tell me if you thought that was excessive force or brutality, because I certainly didn't.

"But it's an unsuccessful appeal so we move on."

Wotton also lost striker Jordan Young to a second booking for dissent moments after Dennis received his dismissal, meaning he is without his top two strikers for the trip to Enfield Town on Saturday.

"It's hugely frustrating," he added.

"I'm not going to sit here and have a go the players. I've been guilty of it as a player and as a manager, opening my mouth at the wrong time and it can be a frustrating game.

"I didn't think there was a great deal of consistency from the referee in the game. I thought when Maidstone's player got sent off, which I thought was harsh as well, that some of the actions towards the linesmen on that side were definitely worthy of a yellow card and there was none given.

"Then Youngy waves his arms and gets a yellow card, so there was an awful lot of frustration at the end of the game, but you have to try and keep your head."