Hartlepool lost 2-1 to Leyton Orient on Monday, leaving them just a point above the League Two relegation zone with three games of the season remaining.
For at least one of their remaining games they will be without the services of Northern Irish centre-back Liam Donnelly. The 21-year-old was sent off for receiving two yellow cards during Monday's game.
Those cards were dished out is quick succession by referee Dean Whitestone after Donnelly confronted him late in the match.
After Nathan Thomas had a pop at goal, Hartlepool players were incensed to not be awarded a corner after they felt the shot had deflected off a Leyton Orient player.
Donnelly chased Whitestone, confronting the referee midway between the opposition box and the halfway line.
Manager Dave Jones told the Hartlepool Mail that he had been unable to bring himself to speak with Donnelly after the final whistle.
He’ll have to answer for what he’s done. It was stupid.
What Liam does, I can’t bring myself to ask him what he was doing. I know he’s upset [about the decision], but you can’t square up to the referee like that.
I’ve not seen anything that for a long, long time.
You can watch the incident from the 1:40 mark below.
