THE red mark on Wayne Thorne's chest told its own story as he trudged from the pitch at Grantham Town after being dismissed for handling.

The left back is adamant his block from Jamie Clarke's close-range effort was a legal one and the ball-shaped mark on his chest he revealed as he left the field would appear to back up his case.

Thorne and Chippenham are unlikely to lodge an appeal following the 78th minute incident, but the 22-year-old is still amazed at the decision of match referee Mr Bird to award Grantham crucial penalty and send him off.

Said Thorne: "It was the worst decision ever. I even had the red marks on my chest to prove it.

"But the ref had made his mind up and didn't want to go back on his decision and look an idiot. He's going to have to live with it now, in my book.

"It was scandalous and cost us three points at the end of the day. For them to go and score the penalty as well was an absolute sickener.''

Thorne was heartened by the reaction of the Grantham supporters and staff, who admitted after the game that their side had been fortunate to have been awarded the spot kick.

Said Thorne: "The boy has absolutely mullered the ball from about three yards and it just hit me in the belly. I didn't know too much about it and it was stinging like mad.

"The referee said 'play on' initially and then saw the linesman, who was 40 or 50 yards away, waving his flag to say I've handballed it.

"There must have only been two people in the ground who believed it and the Grantham players and supporters actually came up to me and told me I had been unlucky.'

He and manager Tommy Saunders were due to discuss the incident before Chippenham's home game against Havant and Waterlooville last night.

Thorne is likely to miss the visit to Folkestone Invicta on September 21 and is prepared to take his punishment on the chin.

He said: "I wouldn't mind trying to appeal, but with it only being one game we probably won't bother. The referee won't go back on his decision now and, if I appeal, I could have the ban increased to two or three matches.''