If that red is rescinded, there’s no justice - is it the same ref for the second leg…?

TBF the normally card happy ref let a lot of tackles go unpunished till about the 40th minute when hippo got booked for a tackle that was not as bad as probably 7 or 8 previous tackles in the game.

Also think we got away with 7+2 mins in added time as the added time in added time was more like 4. But doubt it mattered, unless you are of a nervous disposition

JJ said after the match that Smith had come back into the changing room with a cut down his leg, which presumably indicates that there was contact. On the taking-the-ball-to-the-corner thing, I wonder whether that was a JJ tactic or the players' own instincts.

It may...

Violent conduct, regardless of a foul or not won't see the card rescinded, other than the original offence happening, and a verdict being issued, then I'd suggest whilst in May have merit ( think it was the correct decision btw) what happened afterwards should appear in the Refs report also and will judged in the round in my view.

Rode our luck at times yesterday but a really solid away performance. Proactive subs as well which was excellent to see. Tend to agree that we could have been a little more positive rather than heading for the corner at the end of the game but can't blame Jackson for being cautious and resulted in the red card. Goodman had an unbelievable game and Harbottle looks like a different player since he came back from injury. County still have quality so have to be careful, an early goal next Saturday would be welcome.

Were the red card to be incorrectly rescinded, what is the position on the two 'cards' he should have got for grabbing Neufville's face and then flicking at Smith as he left? I assume you can't give exrtra cards after a red.

Dundonald - re that late free kick, I agree that it was a great chance to launch the ball into the area for a potential second goal, and instead we took it to the corner and immediately lost possession - however, sending it into the box also risks having the keeper catch it and punt it long for a quick counterattack, so you’re kind of damned if you do/don’t, etc… Luckily we didn’t suffer any negative impact from the decision last night… ☺️

Taking the ball to the corner is something we don't do often enough and dropped points in the season through trying to play football from the oppo's corner in the dying minutes.

From what I saw Smith's ankle "gave way" as he landed and that's probably why he fell.

I think it's psychological since County now have a week to stew over a home loss, albeit by just one goal

Complete performance that. How good has Harbottle been since coming back from injury. One of those who will handle the step up if we make it imo. Would love to keep the backbone of this side together for next season.

Ha! Well maybe Kelly will get his 4 in the second leg :-)

Exactly - and it might have got us closer to your 4 - 0 score prediction :-)

DunDonald, i thought that too. I guess there is a psychological advantage going into a second leg a goal up but ultimately not much. I mean it is only a goal with 90+ minutes to play. I'd have expected us to go for a second in that situation

Was thinking last night why we never sign a permanent keeper and I guess the logic is that Bayzo is such an asset that we can punch above our weight in getting quality keepers in on loan. Goodman was getting a bit of grief earlier in the season but he's just got better and better. I think he needs a season with a League One team next season, to continue that progression...

Preston - he was a loan keeper and I did say only some of the loan keepers may have had their best spell with us. Even Ramsdale may have been playing close to his best football with us, he has looked shaky the last couple of years.

Also, does anyone know the story on yellow cards. If a player picks up a yellow in both semis, are they suspended for the final? (Hope not!)

Great performance last night, and a great evening all round. One thing I wondered about... we had a free kick towards the very end, and another attacking opportunity (maybe a free-kick, can't remember). Rather than try and capitalise on it, we (unsuccessfully) took the ball to the corner flag. I understand why we do that in a league game but not sure whether or not it was the right tactic in what was effectively just before half-time of a two-legged fixture. Maybe it was right, don't know, but interested in views.

OI- have you forgotten Aaron Ramsdale?

Just a shame we didn't play the last 10 league games like last night,would've won the league.. couple of mates who support west ham and QPR we're quite impressed

I do wonder why Bayes stays with us (though long may it continue). He is obviously a really good goalkeeping coach with a skill for improving players- you would have thought he would be swamped with lucrative offers from PL sides. Perhaps he just likes it here and doesn’t prioritise money over happiness, if so, that’s good for him and really lucky for us.

Part of getting old is spotting policemen younger than you, then MOs. Now OI has a Pope (69) younger than him. Fortunately, I don't qualify yet

Bayes actually seems to make goalkeepers better than they are. All those who have moved on have so far not had stellar careers though I know it takes time for goalkeepers to reach their peak.