Gillingham have had their appeal against Garry Richards' dismissal for serious foul play against Brighton on Tuesday evening turned down.Boss Mark Stimson sent a letter and footage of the incident from Tuesday night to the Football Association but the claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected and the defender will now serve a three-match.

Stimson told the club's official website: "We are very disappointed. We have watched the incident a few times, I looked at it with the chairman and I though we put a fantastic letter across to the FA.

"Unfortunately we haven't been successful so we have to move on and get on with it. It is going to be a blow because he has played well recently.

"Ian Cox will get an opportunity now so he will come in and hopefully show all the experience he has got. He is still capable of being effective in matches so hopefully he'll step in and we won't miss Garry Richards that much."

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