PAUL Cox is happy to have Liam Hughes available to feature against Sutton United tomorrow after his red card at Taunton last weekend was overturned.

Hughes faced a three-match ban after referee Craig Hicks sent him off for an alleged headbutt on Taunton's Owen Irish after Richie Bennett's goal in the closing minutes of the first half. He only made the decision after extensive discussions with his linesman and the fourth official.

But the Bluebirds appealed the FA Cup first round dismissal after speaking to Hughes – who denied any wrong-doing – and viewing their own video footage of the supposed incident, which did not show any actionable offence from the midfielder.

An FA panel agreed with Barrow's assessment and overturned the red card on the grounds of wrongful dismissal.

That means Hughes is free to make the trip to London tomorrow, as well as feature in Tuesday's Cup replay at Holker Street as Sunday's match ended in a 2-2 draw, and next weekend's National League match against Solihull Moors.

“There was due thought process that went into the appeal,” said AFC manager Cox. “When we saw the video, we couldn't see anything that was remotely like a headbutt, so we decided to appeal and the FA have agreed with us.

“The scary thing is, on the flip-side of it, we could have been out of the FA Cup after playing with 10 men, through a phantom decision.

“After the game, speaking to a number of people, we thought it was a little bit strange. The referee had told me he saw it, but he had spoken to the linesman and the fourth official.

“There's nothing we can do about it. We've got Liam back now from a potential three-game ban, and we'll just move on now.”