HEREFORD FC defender Ryan Green has accused an opposing player of making a derogatory comment towards him.

The Welsh centre-back and Hartley Wintney striker Ross Cook were both sent off following an altercation in last Saturday's FA Vase fifth round match.

During the match, Green claims Cook made an insulting remark about the country of his birth and has also accused the striker of spitting at team-mate Pablo Haysham.

"It is the worst case I have come across in my career, I've never seen anything like it," said Green.

"If you spit at anyone, you should be handed a life ban and he also put his head against Joel Edwards.

"It's a great club and I hope they do well, but they've been let down by the actions of one player."

Hartley Wintney joint-manager Dan Brownlie has defended his player, adding that the alleged accusations are unfounded.

"I can categorically deny that there was any spitting from the lad," said Brownlie.

"It was a high-spirited and competitive game and it shouldn't be overshadowed.

"The accusations have been put to us but, for me, didn't happen and the first I heard about it was from a notification we received.

"If it does happen to be the case, then we will deal with the the player, but I am not going to suggest it happened for one minute."

Green was sent off for in the 73rd minute after reacting to a challenge made my Cook.

"I did leave my foot in, it was a 50/50, but I can see why the ref gave it," said Green.

"He could have been red-carded in the first half because he could have broken my leg and he was 'mouthing off' all game."

Green will now miss Hereford's quarter-final tie against Camberley Town next Saturday.

"I spoke to the referee as to why Ryan got a straight red card and their chap only got a second yellow and, if Ryan did what has been alleged, then it is a justified red," said Hereford manager Pete Beadle.

"But he [Cook] was niggling away at one or two of our players all game and one of our players said he spat at him.

"I think he was on some sort of mission and he could easily have been sent off beforehand.

"It's unfortunate that Ryan did that, but when you have 75 minutes of constant niggling, you have to be extremely strong willed not to react."