Margate have been dealt a big blow with influential playmaker Ben Greenhalgh’s three-match ban having been upheld by the FA after his controversial weekend sending off.

Five-goal Greenhalgh, 31, was dismissed during their 3-2 Isthmian Premier loss at Whitehawk, ruled to have kicked out at a home player after a collision in the 78th minute. The result extended the out-of-form club’s winless run to 13 matches in all competitions.

Margate manager Mark Stimson revealed the club planned to appeal the decision earlier this week - but, in a statement on Thursday night, Gate explained their appeal had been unsuccessful.

They also remain in contact with the FA over captain Sam Blackman’s ban, feeling he effectively served a three-game suspension - when he was given a two-match ban - with their Boxing Day away match with Cray Wanderers abandoned due to a stoppage-time injury.

A club statement read: “We can confirm that we have today learned that the FA have upheld the appeal against the red card shown to Ben Greenhalgh in last Saturday’s away fixture at Whitehawk.

“We believe that the incident which saw Ben receive his red card fell short of violent conduct and felt that the clip we submitted and reasoning - which included the exemplary behaviour of Ben over his whole career - would be enough to see the charge overturned or, at the very least, reduced.

“However, it has been rejected and therefore Ben will now serve a three-game ban, starting this Saturday against Concord Rangers.

“The club also remains in dialogue with the Football Association regarding a rule that meant captain Sam Blackman effectively served a three-game ban for a two-game suspension.

“The club remains surprised that, despite the game against Cray Wanderers standing as a completed 0-0 draw, that the game did not serve as one of Sam’s suspended games - meanwhile Tyrone Sterling’s red card stood.

“While we accept that time cannot be rewound and the decision reversed, we will continue to discuss this matter further until a satisfactory resolution is found, which would include a review of the rule to avoid any other clubs, including our own, suffering the same injustice.”

Greenhalgh will miss fifth-bottom Gate’s home fixture against basement boys Concord this Saturday, Tuesday’s trip to Cheshunt and another home game against Bognor on Saturday, January 20, at Hartsdown Park.

Speaking of the incident which saw Greenhalgh dismissed, Stimson said: “At the time, it didn’t look like a red card.

“Knowing him, that’s not Ben.

“When the referee said ‘violent conduct’, I said ‘Really?!’.”

Blackman and defender Tyrone Sterling are expected to come back into contention for Margate’s game against Concord.