Kettering manager Mark Cooper has admitted his disappointment at seeing captain Guy Branston sent off against Histon on Saturday.
The much-travelled defender was dismissed on the hour for a high tackle on Jack Midson and will now miss Tuesday's game at home to Grays.
"People read about Histon's physical style of play and we get criticised for being direct," said Cooper.
"I think the referee read that too and decided to stamp his authority."
He added: "I just thought he ruined the game a little bit by stopping it when it wasn't necessary."
Despite Branston's red card, Kettering managed a valuable 1-0 victory thanks to Gareth Seddon's second-half goal.
The Poppies are now seven points away from the Blue Square Premier play-off places, but they still have games in hand over all of the sides above them.
