BURNLEY will risk an extra one-match ban for Clarke Carlisle by appealing the defender’s controversial red card at Millwall.

The Clarets played the majority of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Millwall with 10 men after the defender became the third player to be given his marching orders in five Championship away games this season.

But manager Brian Laws was as mystified as anyone as to why Carlisle was sent off by referee Keith Stroud for a seventh minute challenge on Millwall’s loan striker Theo Robinson.

In the immediate aftermath Laws said he would review the evidence before making a decision, but felt the dismissal was harsh.

And the Clarets boss has had his initial view backed up after studying footage.

“We are obviously disappointed and having analysed it we feel it is harsh,” he said.

“Therefore we feel there is an element of doubt and we feel we have to move forward by appealing against a three match ban.

“We are aware of the need to be sure about such an appeal, but we feel strongly enough that there is a case to overturn the decision.

“The referee has had a look at it and still feels he made the right decision.

“However, we have to hope that the professionals on the panel see that there was no element of danger to the opponent and that it was simply mis-timed.”

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, however, felt that Carlisle had to go.

He said: “Carlisle’s mis-timed the tackle. There was another on Tony Craig as well and he’s had two lots of stitches in his shin.

“Tony was lucky and that could easily have been a red."