BOLTON'S former Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes Brighton's appeal against Jamie Murphy's red card in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Wanderers will prove fruitless.

Murphy, who scored the second goal for the league leaders before Neil Lennon's side fought back to earn a point, was shown a straight red card by referee Mark Hayward for a challenge that left Neil Danns nursing a bruised leg 15 minutes from time.

The league leaders appealed yesterday and their case will be heard by an FA regulatory Commission at Wembley this week with boss Chris Hughton hopeful the Scot's impending three-match ban will be overturned.

Hughton felt the first red card of Murphy's career was unfair and said post-match the winger slipped and lost his footing before colliding with Danns.

Danns was also accused on social media of diving and he responded by tweeting a picture of his bruised leg.

But Halsey believes the decision will be upheld.

“I would be amazed if Brighton successfully appeal that,” he told The Bolton News.

“It’s unfortunate, there appears to be a bit of a slip and you can say there isn’t any intent but that doesn’t matter.

“They have to prove that there is a clear and obvious error from the referee, in this case Mark Haywood.

“In my opinion, and unless there is another angle showing something completely different, it is reckless and endangering the player’s safety. Malice doesn’t come into it, I’m afraid.

“I cannot see anything other than the red card being upheld.”