YORK City boss Russ Wilcox has expressed his surprise that the appeal against Jake Hyde's red card at Luton was rejected.

Hyde's three-match suspension for violent conduct was upheld despite 90 per cent of people telling Wilcox that the six-goal top scorer's sending off was unfair after seeing footage of Tuesday's incident.

His challenge on Hatters midfielder Nathan Doyle, however, will now cost City the services of the striker for Saturday's home match with fellow strugglers Tranmere and subsequent weekend fixtures against Northampton and Exeter.

On the disciplinary board's decision, Wilcox said: "I'm surprised and disappointed but, you know when it goes to appeal, it can go either way and we just have to accept it and move on. I think this is an interesting one, though, because nine out of ten people who have seen the incident have said to me it shouldn't have been a red card, so you hope it will go in your favour but it hasn't.

"We've now lost a key player for three matches during an important part of the season when we are a little bit light on numbers and you need everybody pulling their weight. We've got no midweek games as well, so he won't play again until March." Wilcox has also called for officials to allow themselves a moment's reflection before reaching for their pocket after feeling Charles Breakspear acted hastily when handing Hyde his marching orders.

"Sometimes, it's very easy to criticise officials because they do a really tough job, but the game is changing," the City boss reasoned. "It's a contact sport and there are too many red cards being brandished.

"The ref at Luton has sent eight players off this season. Some will have been correct, but I think you have to be careful.

"The card for Jake came out very quickly and the assessor told me afterwards they actually encourage that to stop a fracas and melee but, surely, with most things in life, there's more chance you make the right decision if you give yourself a bit more thinking time."

Hyde is now expected to be replaced by Wes Fletcher against Tranmere in the lone central striking role he filled for the first hour at Kenilworth Road.

The City boss has also stressed the importance of winning back the support of the Bootham Crescent faithful by trying to score an early goal against a visiting team just two points ahead of their second-bottom hosts in the Sky Bet League Two standings.

Wilcox and the players were heckled during and after last weekend's home defeat to Dagenham and the Minstermen chief said: "We are playing against a team around us and we need everybody together.

"I think it would help the supporters if we get the first goal. That's important in every game, but I think it will be even more so this weekend.

"We know what a big boost it would give everybody at the club to get out of that bottom two." City are expected to use the same 4-2-3-1 formation that they employed at Luton with Michael Coulson, who claimed two assists on Tuesday, tasked with providing more opportunities from his roving central role.

"Michael is probably our most creative player and, at Luton, we got him in that number ten role that Diego (De Girolamo) filled so well when he was here," Wilcox explained. "I wanted to get the best out of him again to help him and the side.

"We also played him there as a show of respect to Luton because I have seen how well Nathan Doyle has played for them in games this season. He can spread balls all over the pitch and I wanted Michael to get on top of him as well." Marvin McCoy is set to keep his place at right back, having been recalled to the team due to the tactical switch after four games as an unused substitute.

On his return, Wilcox said: "Marvin was there for a key moment when he cleared off the line in the last second of the first half, so he played his role in the result. He had a difficult first ten minutes but that can be the case when you've not played for a while and, like the team, he grew into the game."

Wilcox, meanwhile, has expressed an early interest in extending the loan period of Walsall full-back Malvind Benning beyond the agreed one-month spell that will expire following the trip to Northampton a week on Saturday.

If he does stay, Wilcox will also grant Benning permission to join up with the Saddlers for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Bristol City at Wembley the day after the Minstermen travel to Accrington Stanley on March 21.

"Malvind has impressed me with the way he wants to come out and play even if that means he misses out on being involved at Wembley," Wilcox said. "If he does stay with us, though, I would be happy for him to join up with Walsall on the day.

"He played a part in them getting there during the earlier rounds and we've got to respect that he's their player."

City are still, however, waiting to hear whether Sheffield United striker Diego De Girolamo will return to Bootham Crescent on loan despite the Italian under-20 international having expressed his desire for a third spell in North Yorkshire.

"They are definitely letting him out on loan so, hopefully, that will mean he comes back here," Wilcox reasoned. "I've spoken to him and he wants to come back and we would love to have him, but I don't think that will happen before this weekend."