Scott Wharton has been hit with a three match ban following his red card for Northampton Town – and will miss their FA Cup tie with Derby County tonight.

Wharton was sent off in the closing stages of Tuesday’s draw with Leyton Orient following an altercation in the closing stages which also saw James Dayton sent off for the hosts.

The Rovers loanee, who has impressed during his time with the Cobblers, conceded a penalty when adjudged to have handled the ball in the 86th minute, from which Orient equalised.

He then became in an altercation after the penalty was scored by Josh Wright, and despite feeling the 22-year-old was harshly done to, Cobblers boss Keith Curle said the club wouldn’t be appealing the decision.

"We thought about appealing but reluctantly decided against it," he said.

"That's not because we agreed with the decision - we don't - but in order to successfully appeal you need clear evidence of a mistake.

“Even though we believe Scott about what happened, there is so much going on it is just impossible to get that clear view that we need.

“On top of that, there is always a risk of an extra game or two being added to any suspension.

“Losing Scott is a blow but it’s another challenge for this group and for whoever comes in.”

Wharton will miss the cup tie against the Championship side, as well as League Two matches against Scunthorpe and Macclesfield.

Rovers had the option of recalling the Salesbury-born defender from his loan spell, but Tony Mowbray felt staying with the Sixfields club was the best course of action for Wharton's development.