COLNE player-boss John Lister read the riot act to his players before the kick-off but it didn't stop them suffering their sixth red card in their last 10 games.

And Gordon Dugdale's Colne debut looks like being his final game after lasting just 30 minutes before picking up a second yellow card.

"He seemed hell bent on getting himself sent off despite John's warnings to the players all week," said Colne chairman Dave Blacklock.

"John sacked him after the game. It was absolute insanity."

Midfield man Dugdale picked up an early yellow card for a rash challenge and saw red after 30 minutes when he kicked out at an opponent after the ball had gone out of play.

"It wasn't a dirty challenge just stupid," added Blacklock. "It meant that for the third match in as many weeks we had to play the bulk of the game with only 10 men.

"The crazy thing is we are not a dirty side. We like to play football. It was a very disappointing day from that point of view."

Not surprisingly Squires Gate took full advantage of their superior numbers.

In fact, they were already a goal to the good when Dugdale walked. Steve Longworth had given the home side a sixth minute lead after Colne had gone close through George Craddock at the other end.

Before the break Colne's Paul Fildes was brought down by the keeper but after initially signalling for a penalty the referee noticed an offside flag and brought play back.

Then Longworth and Fildes both hit the woodwork at either end of the field.

After the interval Squires Gate extended their lead through Alex Rawson (52) and Lee Catlow (58) but Colne then showed the right sort of fighting qualities.

Substitute Jonathan Irvine had a shot parried and Craddock pounced to pull one back in the 72nd minute.

Then in the dying seconds Irvine put Craddock through and the striker made it 3-2.

SQUIRES GATE...3 COLNE...2