NEWPORT County AFC have lost their appeal against the red card shown to defender Tom Naylor in Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat at Morecambe.

The centre-back, on loan from Championship outfit Derby County, will now miss Sunday’s home game against Exeter City.

Naylor was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity when he was adjudged to have brought down Kevin Ellison in the box at the Globe Arena.

The Exiles, who led 1-0 at the time thanks to Naylor’s first half strike, saw the Shrimps level from the spot and then conceded a further three goals.

After viewing the video Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh decided there were grounds to appeal the decision and he’s bitterly disappointed that the suspension stands.

“I firmly believe that there was no contact and the officials got conned on the evening,” said Edinburgh.

“It was bad enough giving the penalty but to send Tom off as well was unacceptable.

“There was no contact and there were two covering players and he was going away from goal.

He added: “I think we’ve been punished harshly with that this year with Tom Naylor and with Robbie Willmott (at Fleetwood in November) and they were defining moments in the games.

“I’m not saying we would have won but with 11 men I don’t feel the game would have turned as much as it did.”

Tuesday’s incident was the second time this season that Naylor has endured a nightmare against Morecambe after he scored two own goals and conceded a penalty in the reverse fixture at Rodney Parade in September.

But Edinburgh insists he has no concerns about the 22-year-old’s ability to bounce back once again.

“I don’t know what it is with Tom and Morecambe,” said Edinburgh. “I know their fans were singing ‘there’s only one Tom Naylor’ but he’s a strong character.

“He took a bit of stick in training but he bounced back from that terrible afternoon against Morecambe at home so I’m not worried about him.”

Naylor gave his reaction on Twitter, posting: "Gutted about the outcome. I know myself there was hardly no contact. Never mind least it's only one match."

Meanwhile, Edinburgh confirmed that back-up goalkeeper Conor Thompson is no longer with the club.

Ian McLoughlin, signed on an emergency loan from MK Dons on Monday, will continue in goal against Exeter with Lenny Pidgeley and Jamie Stephens still sidelined.