SLOUGH Town FC joint boss Neil Baker has jumped to the defence of goalkeeper Mark Scott following his controversial red card against Hitchin Town FC.

Scott was shown a straight red card after clashing with Hitchin striker Lewis Rolfe last Saturday, leaving Rebels to play with 10 men for 70 minutes of the game on a roasting hot day.

Slough’s players put up a brave fight but the scorching heat took its toll and they lost 3-1.

Rebels say they will not appeal Scott’s red card which will result in an automatic three-match ban.

But Baker refused to point the finger at Scott and insisted he was the victim of play acting by Hitchin’s Rolfe.

He told the Observer: “Mark was sent off for what was classed as a headbutt. He reacted and went nose-to-nose with their player who then threw himself to the floor.

“Unfortunately, the referee and linesman bought it and the red card came out.”

He also confirmed: “We won’t appeal the decision because our player reacted by putting his face up close to their player’s face which gave their lad the opportunity to collapse to the floor.

“Unfortunately in this day and age, players will look to gain any advantage they possibly can and that’s what happened here.”

Baker also stressed the red card was completely out of character for 24-year-old Scott, who joined Rebels from Oxford City during the summer.

He explained: “Unfortunately our keeper lost his cool. He said it had never happened to him before.

“He came out to collect a shot but, as he picked up the ball, their lad took a swipe at it.

“That’s why he went and confronted him. There was no headbutt, though he did get in his face and gave the officials the opportunity to produce a red card.

“But Mark is not a dirty player or anything like that and I feel sorry for him.”

Scott is set to keep his place in the side for Saturday’s Southern Premier home fixture against Poole Town (3pm) and also Monday’s trip to Chesham United (both 3pm).

Scott’s automatic three-match suspension will then kick in when his place will be taken by last season’s first-choice stopper, Luke Williams.

Williams has endured a difficult off-season with injury and illness, but Baker insists he is ready to step into the breach.

“Luke has had a bit of a nightmare recently,” he confirmed. “ He contracted glandular fever in pre-season and is only getting back to fitness now, so we will have to look after him.

“But Mark will play against Chesham and Poole which gives Luke another 10 days to recover before the next match.”

Rebels have won only one of their five Southern Premier fixtures so far this season – a 7-1 thumping of Histon.

But Baker argued: “Overall, we have put in some really good performances during these last three games.

“We are on the up even though we got beat a couple of times. I’m sure we can push on and go on a nice run soon, though we must be aware that Poole Town are the league favourites this season so that will be a very hard game.”