NEWPORT County AFC star Robbie Willmott has been hit with a fine following his red card in the closing stages of the 6-0 home defeat to Yeovil Town.

Willmott, who came off the bench to replace David Pipe at half-time, was sent off for a wild studs-up challenge on Olufela Olomola with eight minutes left on the clock.

Referee Peter Wright instantly dismissed the Exiles utility man, who was making his first League Two appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Manager Michael Flynn has no arguments with the decision and he has disciplined Willmott.

“He’s been fined and the players know that they will be fined,” said the County boss.

“We’ve got rules that we stick to. The boys are very good professionals and they know the standards I expect so there’s no moaning or sulking around that.

“At the end of the day if they can’t play for the football club for three games they’ve got to expect some sort of punishment.

“It’s something that we could have done without because he’s looked good in the two games he’s played,” added Flynn.

“It’s frustrating because on his day he’s very valuable for us and he’s out for three games now, although he can play on Tuesday against Chelsea under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy.”

South Wales Argus:

Willmott has accepted the fine but he insists he did not intend to hurt Olomola, who had scored Yeovil’s fifth goal.

“Robbie’s an honest lad,” said Flynn. “He told me that he expected their lad to go in for the challenge but he kind of pulled out at the last minute, whereas Robbie is already committed.

“It wasn’t intentional. He didn’t try to get sent off and he wasn’t going out to smash somebody out of frustration.

“It looked worse than it was but it was a red card because it was reckless.

“But he’s not going to be the last person to get a red card for Newport County and he’s definitely not the first because I got one.”

South Wales Argus:

Flynn will also be without club captain Andrew Crofts (above) at Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

“Crofty’s toe is fine now but he’s just got a little bit of swelling in the back of his Achilles,” explained the manager.

“It’s a bit of a dodgy area – you don’t want to mess around with the Achilles because if that goes then you’re looking at nine or 12 months out.

“It’s just a bit of precaution and it’s the first time he’s really missed games through a muscle injury for over two years.

“It’s frustrating for him. He’s dying to get out on the pitch but we need to be careful.”