Midfield schemer Mark Tinkler could find himself out of pocket as well as action after being sent-off in the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Lancashire rivals Preston North End.

Mark Tinkler troops miserably off the Bootham Crescent pitch.

A fine for the former Leeds United man is just one option open to the club admitted City boss Alan Little, who saw his side beaten by a 71st minute solitary strike by Kurt Nogan following Tinkler's first-half dismissal at Bootham Crescent.

"I will have to judge that in my own time," said Little of the club's likely course of action. "But his sending off has cost me today."

The defeat put a dent in City's play-off plans and saw the Minstermen drop two places to 11th in the league.

But a point, and possibly all three, were still very much on the cards until Tinkler received his marching orders on the stroke of half-time.

Chester referee Mike Jones was about to caution Tinkler for a challenge from behind on Michael Appleton when the City man reacted to comments made by the Preston midfielder and pushed him in the chest. After a melee involving players from both sides, the referee eventually brandished two yellow cards before a red at Tinkler.

"Tink's behaviour has cost us the game," said Little. "It seemed destined to be a 0-0 at half-time and certainly Preston looked no more likely to score than we did."

Tinkler is likely to serve at least a one-match ban following his second dismissal of the season.

He was also sent-off in the FA Cup defeat at Wrexham in December.

Tinkler, arguably City's most consistent performer of this campaign, was banned for two games prior to Christmas following that sending off and after picking up his eighth booking of the season at Bournemouth.

"It is happening too much with Tinks and he has got to learn the lesson," said Little. "But the question is, is a one-match ban a big enough lesson for him?

"I can't really argue with the sending-off because you can't raise your hands.

"But Tinks was angry because the boy (Appleton) saw him coming and flipped over in front of the ref. The ref said to me at half-time that Tink's had grabbed the lad's throat, but he didn't."

The City manager also vented his anger on referee Jones for not dismissing Preston centre back Colin Murdoch.

The defender had already been booked in the first half for a foul on Rodney Rowe but escaped what looked a red after pulling down Richard Cresswell on the edge of the North End penalty area.

"All I ask for is consistency but the referee was inconsistent," said Little. "It is a tough job out there but his performance went from one extreme to the other."

Despite the disappointing defeat, Little praised his team. He said: "If we can work like that with 10 men then surely it will be better with 11. The team showed total commitment and I can't ask for anymore.

"We are still in there and in a decent position so we have got to be positive."

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