MICHAEL Flynn says refereeing standards in League Two must improve after the red card shown to Dan Butler at Notts County was rescinded by the Football Association.

The Newport County AFC manager welcomed the news that Butler’s three-game ban had been quashed ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup first round clash with Walsall at Rodney Parade (kick-off 5.15pm).

But Flynn, who was highly critical of referee Craig Hicks’ decision at Meadow Lane, says the Football Association’s decision to uphold the Exiles’ appeal shows that the officials need to raise their game.

“It’s brilliant,” said Flynn of Butler’s. “I knew it wasn’t a red card and obviously that’s what I said what I said after the game.

“Things need to be looked at a little bit because it’s virtually unheard of that we’ve had two get off with sendings off – one being Wayne [Hatswell] and the other being Dan.”

Assistant manager Wayne Hatswell also successively overturned his dismissal from the bench at Luton Town earlier this season.

“I don’t want to say too much about it,” added Flynn. “I think I made my feelings quite clear.

“It’s good that they’ve seen sense at the FA but whilst there are these kind of errors happening it’s going to be a busy time for them because there’s going to be a lot of appeals.”

Flynn is not impressed with the quality of the refereeing in League Two and also called into question the role of the fourth officials.

“I think we need a better standard of referees and officials in the lower leagues,” he said.

“It’s a tough job and I have full respect for them so it’s not a referee-bashing thing.

“The fourth official on Saturday was excellent but I just don’t really understand the point in having them if they’re not going to make a decision.”

Butler will be available to face the Saddlers tomorrow, which is a boost for Flynn who is without fellow left-back Calaum Jahraldo-Martin (hamstring) and could also be missing centre-back Mark O’Brien (foot) and midfielder Joss Labadie (hamstring).

“It’s a bonus because, with Mark out and Joss out [last week] and Calaum out, I didn’t really want to lose many more,” said the Exiles boss.

“Dan has been consistent this season and it’s a big boost for him because he’s somebody who loves playing football and it would have been very harsh on him if he had to miss three games.”