BRYAN HUGHES is set to appeal the red card shown to Bobby Grant in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Dover Athletic.

The Wrexham striker was sent off after kicking out at Whites goalkeeper Lee Worgan two minutes before half-time.

Although dismissed for violent conduct, Hughes feels it was harsh on Grant who scored twice in the opening two matches of the season but is now facing a three-game suspension.

"I have looked at the clip again and spoken to the referee, he feels like it was violent conduct," said Hughes.

"Looking at the clip, it looks more like a trip than a violent conduct kick.

"I know it is hard for officials to deal with things and they have to do it spur of the moment.

"He was in a fantastic position to see it but that happens anywhere else on the pitch and it is not the goalkeeper, I think it is a yellow card personally.

"But he has given a red card and we have had to deal with it."

When asked whether he will lodge an appeal ahead of tomorrow's home clash with leaders Halifax Town, Hughes said: "Probably.

"I spoke to the referee and he was honest enough to say he would look at it.

"He felt at the time it was hard but he felt he has swung his leg at him.

"It looks like the goalkeeper has just caught him with an elbow as he is getting away and Bobby has just reacted with a little petulant one.

"I don't think it would be classed as violent conduct if it was anywhere else on the pitch so I think we have got good rights to appeal and see what the outcome is."

The game kicked off 30 minutes late because the Wrexham team-coach was held up in traffic but the Reds took a 35th minute lead through Mark Harris' second goal in two outings before Grant was dismissed.

Ten-man Wrexham were put under increased pressure in the second half and Dover equalised before scoring a late winner, condemning the Reds to a first defeat of the season, but Hughes could not fault the effort of his players.

"It was frustrating, especially after us taking the lead," said Hughes.

"Then circumstances happen in the game with Bobby's red card but once we organised the team at half-time, we set up second half and I thought we structured quite well again.

"We knew they would put long balls into the box and we had to deal with their aerial threats, but we just couldn't hold out in the end.

"It was backs against the wall a little bit at times without really creating massive opportunities for them.

"It was just basically being honest and having that desire to defend your box, and I thought we did it well at times.

"But they get one around the back of us and it is a goal, and the last one is a good cross, Shaun Pearson can't move his feet quick enough and it is in the back of the net.

"A horrible feeling to lose and I have got to pick the players up again because they have left everything out there."

Hughes was happy with the way his side grew into the game following their late arrival at The Crabble Ground.

"It has been a strange day," said Hughes. "We were late getting here and we had 15 minutes to warm-up.

"I thought we started growing into the game in the first half once we got that situation out of our system.

"It was a fantastic finish by Mark; a good ball through off Devonte Redmond again and a lovely finish into the bottom corner.

"At that point we started really playing some alright stuff, then the moment of madness happens with regards to Bobby's sending off."