City were today facing up to four more games without Andrew Davies after a late change of mind over appealing his red card.

The club had planned a bid to get referee Oliver Langford’s decision at Swindon overturned. But having taken advice, they decided against it because video footage of the incident was not conclusive.

It was thought that Swindon striker Jake Jervis, who Davies brought down, was prepared to back up the defender’s claim that he had slipped while making the challenge.

And joint-chairman Julian Rhodes believes that the on-loan Stoke centre half has been very harshly treated to be stuck with such a lengthy ban for his second sending-off in as many appearances. Davies has already missed three games after his dismissal against Torquay.

Rhodes said: “We don’t understand why the ref was so quick to pull out his red card when the linesman (assistant referee) standing right next to the incident didn’t even raise his flag.

“We came up with a magnificent point at the end of the game. But that back four in the first half was probably the best defensive performance of the season and we didn't want to lose Davies again.”

Phil Parkinson gave his players an extra day off as a reward for their County Ground heroics.

He said: “It was a hell of a journey going down to Swindon and a few of the boys have gone Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday. I’m giving them a bit of a chance to recharge the batteries.”

City kick off their FA Youth Cup campaign tonight against Marine at Valley Parade.