JOHN Coleman fears Accrington Stanley's poor disciplinary record has stretched his side to the limit.

On the back of Andy Mangan receiving a straight red card for comments made to a Bristol Rovers player in Saturday's 4-0 defeat, defender Phil Edwards picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, forcing him to sit out this weekend's clash at home to Mansfield.

And full back Leam Richardson faces a two-match ban after this weekend after accumulating 10 bookings.

On top of that, right back Danny Ventre is expected to be sidelined until the New Year after being carried off with a knee injury in the Boxing Day draw with Bury.

Stanley, who had conceded 14 goals in four games ahead of their derby with the Shakers, have had their defence hit hard, as central defender Michael Welch was also sidelined on Tuesday with a calf strain.

But Coleman believes his players are being hampered by referees' lack of leniency towards the Reds.

"What's really surprised me at the moment is that it seems every second foul we make we get a lad booked, and people get away with murder against us," he said.

"A lad elbows Andy Procter in the nose and it's a yellow. I don't know what it's a yellow for - it's either a red or nothing.

"If it's accidental it's not a yellow. If it's deliberate it's a red.

"We don't get away with them. Danny Ventre got thrown to the floor, arms around his neck, and he ends up coming away with a booking and they get a foul. How can that be right?

"Andy Todd got thrown into the hoardings and he got a booking. I was disappointed with those (decisions), but they just seem to be going against us at the moment.

"We're racking up suspensions left, right and centre.

"It's hard to take because we are just losing players and, physically, we might not be able to put a team out in the next couple of weeks."