Hutchings still defends referees

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has leapt to the defence of referees despite seeing his defence ravaged by suspension ahead of the trip to Exeter.

The Saddlers are without the suspended Mark Hughes and Clayton McDonald for the clash in Devon tomorrow, after straight reds against Southend and Colchester.

Matt Richards was also dismissed against Millwall earlier this month, but despite three red cards in four games Hutchings refused to blame over-zealous officials.

He said: "They are under pressure, they have an assessor looking at them every time they blow the whistle. They are under scrutiny and if they don't do it to the letter they are knocked down a league.

"It's a tough job, they have a split second but we have the great thing of replay, replay, replay and seeing it time and time again.

"Referees have to make an instant decision and the majority of the time they get it right, sendings off are their decisions and we have to abide by them."

Dwayne Mattis, Troy Deeney and Rhys Weston have also seen red this season and Hutchings warns they can't repeat their mistakes.

He said: "You learn from experience. If you make a two footed tackle then you know you're going to get sent off."