Swindon Town's Harry McKirdy sent off - but will still face Carlisle United

The former Blues frontman saw red in the first half of Swindon's 0-0 home draw with Salford City.

But McKirdy's one-game ban will apply to their Carabao Cup tie at Walsall on Tuesday - meaning the forward will be back for next Saturday's trip to Brunton Park.

McKirdy was booked for dissent in the 14th minute at the County Ground before ref Andy Woolmer showed him a second yellow for a challenge shortly before half-time.

READ MORE: Paul Simpson gives his verdict on Carlisle United's draw at Colchester United

Football Association rules say that red-card bans must be served in the next fixture whatever the competition (unless the sending-off is in the Papa John's Trophy, in which case the suspension must be served in that specific competition).

McKirdy posted on Instagram that he was "speechless" after his controversial dismissal.

After sitting out Tuesday's cup game, he will return to Brunton Park six months after he inspired Swindon to a 3-0 win against his former club.

McKirdy scored and set up two that day and celebrated all three goals in front of United's fans.

The frontman, the Blues' top scorer in 2019/20, has spoken in the past about his dislike of Carlisle.

Swindon boss Scott Lindsey, speaking to the Swindon Advertiser, said of McKirdy's dismissal against Salford: “I think Harry’s second yellow – having watched it back – it looked like shoulder to shoulder, and I thought he was very unlucky.

“Harry is Harry, and yeah, he needs to tidy up bits, he knows that. But I thought, overall, our discipline was good, and we were a bit hard done by.”

Other ex-Blues were in the thick of League Two action on Saturday.

Kelvin Mellor was among the scorers as Crewe Alexandra beat Harrogate Town 3-0.

And Andy Cook grabbed an injury-time equaliser for Bradford City at Barrow - only for Josh Gordon to grab a dramatic winner for the south Cumbrians, who have won both their games 3-2 so far this season.