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Blades' disbelief as Kilgallon appeal rejected
SHEFFIELD United manager Kevin Blackwell has criticised the decision to dismiss Matthew Kilgallon's appeal against the sending-off he received during Sunday's Steel City derby at Hillsborough.
The defender, who controversially saw red for a challenge during the first half of a narrow defeat, was informed before last night's draw with Southampton that the Football Association were refusing to grant him a reprieve.
Having served the first match of his three-game suspension against Jan Poortvliet's side, Kilgallon will not be available for selection until Plymouth Argyle visit Bramall Lane next month.
Confirming that United are unlikely to enter the loan market to provide cover in his absence, Blackwell said: "I'm surprised.
"I think everyone in football is surprised.
"I'd spoken to a couple of referees before we asked for the matter to be looked at to canvass their opinions and they all thought he had been hard done by.
"I'm not sure of the reasons why - I just got a phone call to say Killa's appeal wasn't going to be accepted and left it at that."
Blackwell added: "I'm sure people have realised that we're in the middle of a credit crunch and that means it's not easy to bring people in.
"Even if I did, I could do it for only a month and it would end up costing us about 30 or 40 grand, which is a lot of money for that sort of timescale.
"I think, when you look at things in that context, we've received a very harsh punishment for what has happened."
United shrugged off their disappointment to produce an entertaining second-half display against Southampton who found themselves under increasing pressure as the evening progressed.
Substitute Anthony Stokes had a goal ruled out, Ugo Ehiogu saw an effort scrambled away to safety and Kyle Naughton forced Kelvin Davis into a fine save.
Poortvliet, whose team were reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute when Oliver Lancashire received his second yellow card of an absorbing contest, said: "A big compliment must go to United for their second-half performance.
"And a big compliment to my players too because 0-0 in Sheffield looks very good."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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