YORK City defender Matt Hocking may have been left battered and bruised by Saturday's victory over Southend United, but three precious points were the perfect tonic, writes Tony Curtis.
Hocking found himself as the figure of hate for the home fans after his challenge with Mark Beard resulted in a red card for the Shrimpers' right midfielder.
However, Hocking, who himself was booked for his initial challenge on Beard, was left felling the effects of the clash with Beard exacting a stupid revenge - right in front of referee Grant Hegley.
"I've gone in for a tackle with the lad (Beard) and I've slid in and caught him on the leg. He's reacted and grabbed me by the throat and stamped on my chest," he told the Evening Press. "It was ridiculous. It was a definite sending off. It was out of order.
"We knew it would be a battle and a hard game here, but we are delighted by the result.
"It wasn't pretty to watch we know, but at the end of the day with got three points which needed."
Updated: 12:02 Monday, February 11, 2002
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