CRESTFALLEN York City striker Jon Parkin protested his innocence after being hit by the prospect of a three-match ban.

The giant striker was left reeling after being given his marching orders for violent conduct by referee Carl Bassingdale in City's penultimate pre-season friendly last night.

Parkin was adjudged to have thrown a punch in a mass melee of players as City's clash with Scottish Premier League outfit Livingston threatened to turn ugly.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Parkin, who now stands to miss City's opening three games of the season, insisted he had acted only as peacemaker in the dispute which involved just about every outfield player.

Backing Parkin's innocent plea, City player-manager Chris Brass has pledged to do all he can to try and get the red card rescinded.

The dust-up occurred midway through the second half of last night's game, which City lost 3-2, after Livingston's Scott McLaughlin hacked down City's Steve Downes.

McLaughlin also saw red with Bassingdale brandishing another six yellow cards over the 90 minutes.

Said a dejected Parkin: "With it being pre-season I need games under my belt but I have got sent-off for something I don't really think was my fault.

"A couple of lads appeared to lose their heads and I just moved in to try and calm things down.

"The referee thought I'd thrown a punch or elbowed someone but I didn't.

"I want to appeal. I've been told it's a three-match ban which would be a real shame."

A bemused Brass said: "I don't believe Jon did anything wrong and he was just trying to calm everyone down.

"There was a melee and things did get a bit heated.

"It was said punches were thrown but I didn't see any punches thrown.

"I don't want to be losing Jon for three games.

"We do have a right to appeal and I'm sure we will be."

Referees have usually acted leniently in pre-season friendlies, encouraging managers to substitute offenders to avoid the issuing of red cards.

However, as revealed in the Evening Press, Wakefield referee Alan Kaye is currently facing an FA rap for failing to dismiss Mark Viduka in last week's pre-season friendly between Leeds and City.

Brass maintained his gripe was not that Bassingdale had taken a firm stance, but that the Doncaster official had got it wrong.

Said Brass: "If it's a valid red card and someone deserves to be sent off then so be it.

"But I certainly didn't see Jon throw a punch.

"If I'm proven wrong then it will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.

"But no-one on our bench or on the Livingston bench saw a punch being thrown and in my mind Jon has done nothing wrong."

Updated: 10:35 Friday, August 01, 2003