DENNIS Wise put a consoling arm around Jerel Ifil rather than hammer him with the hairdryer treatment after The Beast' saw red at Chester City.

The defender blotted what has been an otherwise immaculate copybook this campaign by picking up two yellow cards last night and hence an early bath.

Wise felt the first half caution was harsh but had no argument with the second, dished out for kicking the ball away.

Still, the Town manager said a fine and a one-match ban was punishment enough.

Besides, Wise has hardly been a stranger to red cards himself.

The Town supremo, who enjoyed some lively banter with the Chester City faithful last night, said: "Jerel's a young man and he'll learn.

"He'll get a one match ban, he's disappointed and he's said sorry to the lads.

"It's a spur of the moment thing. I can't complain, I think I got sent off 14 times in my career.

"He is donating some money to the players pool, a small fine.

"I thought he was unlucky with the first booking but I can't argue with the second one."

Wise joked that the dismissal had far from hindered his team's hopes of victory at the Deva Stadium.

"I think we actually looked the better team when we went down to 10 men.

Maybe Jerel should get sent off again? No, seriously, I thought we coped well."

Wise had few defensive options on the bench but then this isn't a manager who preaches caution, caution, caution away from home.

Royce Brownlie, Fola Onibuje, Lukas Jutkiewicz all featured on the bench with Michael Pook the most defensive' option.

Wise said: "I always try and put three strikers on the bench because I want to win, I want to go for it and it's a positive sign you're putting out."

The manager was quick to praise his players after the game but then the contribution made by 807 travelling fans, approaching a third of the total attendance, was not lost on him either.

He responded to regular roars of Wisey, Wisey gave us a wave' and then obliged late in the game when the Town support chanted Wisey, Wisey what's the score?' He said: "They (the supporters) were great and all the lads, myself and Gus would like to thank them.

"They've come a long way, spent a lot of money and I'm glad we'v e put on a show for them.

Hopefully we'll start getting a few more along as well. We need the punters to help us."

  • Town's under 18s were due to travel to Gillingham today for their first clash of the campaign in the Puma Youth Alliance Cup.