Mason out after ban appeal fails

Dunfermline have been hit with a double blow after Gary Mason lost his appeal against the red card he received against Dundee United and Jason Thomson suffered a groin injury.

Mason was sent off for serious foul play by referee Stevie O’Reilly following a challenge on Johnny Russell in the first half of their 4-1 defeat at East End Park.

Pars boss Jim McIntyre felt the midfielder had slid along the ground and won the ball, but their case was thrown out by the SFA’s fast-track tribunal at Hampden.

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McIntyre said: “Unfortunately they ruled against it and he has been given a two-match ban.

“They thought it was a lunge, we didn’t and that’s why we appealed, but the appeal backed the referee on this occasion and we move on. It’s done and dusted.”

Dunfermline have been undermined by injuries in recent weeks with Kevin Rutkiewicz, Nicky Phinn, Andy Barrowman and Steven Bell still sidelined for tomorrow’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against Hibernian at Easter Road.

“We’ve lost another one this week in Jason Thomson, who has done his groin in training, and to lose another player to suspension is really disappointing,” McIntyre said.

The extent of Thomson’s injury will be determined by a scan, but the on-loan Hearts full-back looks set to miss several weeks of action.

Joe Cardle and Martin Hardie are back in training following injury, but only the former has a chance of facing Hibs; however, Liam Buchanan has recovered from illness. On Cardle, McIntyre said: “We’re hopeful that he’ll be fine.”