YORK City Knights boss James Ford has praised Rugby Football League chiefs' "common sense" after Jack Aldous was told he faced no charge following his controversial red card in last week's battling win over Oxford.

Prop Aldous was sent off by referee Scott Mikalauskas in the sixth minute of the League One clash for striking Oxford's Lee Land in apparent retaliation for misdemeanours in a ruck.

However, the RFL's disciplinary panel have decided the 24-year-old's red card was sufficient punishment and he thus faces no hearing on Tuesday and no suspension, freeing him up for Thursday's vital encounter against play-off rivals North Wales.

Ford insisted the red card was unwarranted in the first place, and also revealed he had been in regular contact with RFL referees chief Ian Smith over the standard of officiating in League One and what he feels is ongoing foul play from certain teams.

Oxford's questionable behaviour off the pitch was a further topic of discussion.

"I had a good look at the incident on video. The sending-off decision was harsh," he said.

"He's reacted to being fouled on the floor twice and did not carry the incident on. He got up, slapped him rather than punched him and according to the rules it's not a sending-off whereas a closed fist is.

"We had been awarded the penalty for the foul on Jack - that got overlooked, which was surprising.

"I want my players to be disciplined and they are, but every week they are facing constant provocation and it's hard to withstand such rubbish for 80 minutes every week. We set standards but there has got to be a line somewhere.

"I'm not going to criticise Jack for what he did because at the end of the day he felt somebody overstepped the mark."

The RFL ruling on the incident stated: "Following completion of tackle player (Aldous) lashes out towards opponent at marker. Contact is not overly forceful however is unnecessary. Sending-off sufficient."

Ford added: "I would have been amazed if he'd received a ban. He already missed 75 minutes of a game and that was harsh enough."

Land likewise faces no censure for his part, nor does fellow forward Jordan Andrade, who in the second half shouted obscenities at a touch judge right in front of Elmpark Way's main stand. Mikalauskas appeared to reach for his cards while talking to the touch judge but left them in his pocket.

Ford said: "That was disgraceful behaviour but that's not my problem. It's Tim Rumford's (Oxford coach) and the RFL's problem if they have people who think it's appropriate to speak to an official like that.

"These players are role models. We're trying to grow the game but how can you do that if you're going to carry on like that?"

Asked if he thought that deserved a card, Ford - who slammed Oxford's "embarrassing" and "disgraceful" ill-discipline on and off the field immediately after Sunday's win - said: "I was surprised, as I said after the game.

"I've spoken to Ian Smith about it. I was appalled at how Oxford players and staff spoke to the officials throughout the game.

"We had Heworth Under-12s and U13s doing ball-boy duties for us and they obviously heard it all. Are these lads going to replicate that behaviour?

"I read Tim Rumford's comment (in The Press) about being engrossed in the game but the ramifications of this behaviour are powerful. We have to conduct ourselves in a professional manner at all times."

As for his chat with Smith, Ford added: "I highlighted my concerns and he understands..

"It's going to take time to improve the refereeing. They can't turn up and give 100 penalties as that just ruins the spectacle so some of the onus is on coaches and players, but there are team warnings and they can be used better.

"He assured me there are efforts to improve the quality of the game and how it's officiated at this level.

"I've spoken to him almost weekly, often positively about some of the referees and touch judges - we should point that out as well.

"It's clear how easy we (the Knights) are to officiate - there's no rubbish from us - but it must be difficult to officiate a team like Oxford week in week out."