MARK Beesley insists he will not throw Connor Woods “under the bus” as he prepares to be without his forward until the new year.

Woods, who has been ever-present in the National League North thus far, was dismissed for violent conduct during Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Hereford and will serve a three-match ban as a result.

A suspension also looms for midfielder Bohan Dixon, who was sent off in the same game shortly afterwards for a second yellow card – his second red card of the season means he will serve a two-match ban.

Owing to the “seven-day” rule that applies to suspensions incurred at this level, Woods and Dixon will both be able to play in tomorrow’s home game against Scarborough Athletic before their bans kick in.

Both will sit out the trip to King’s Lynn Town on December 16 and the home game against Banbury United on December 23, with Woods also missing the Boxing Day trip to Chester before returning to contention for the reverse fixture on New Year’s Day.

The dismissal for leaning his head into Bulls midfielder Tom Pugh was Woods’ first of his career but Beesley has backed him to return stronger.

“Connor knows he’s been stupid but we won’t just throw him under the bus as he’s been a great signing for us,” he said after Tuesday’s game, where his side battled manfully with nine men before succumbing to defeat.

“He’s got to learn from it – he’s seen the red mist and lost his head for a few seconds – and he’s got to come back stronger.

“He’ll have a rest now for a few weeks and he has to go again.

“It rocked us a bit and they are the disappointments – there are positives but the bigger picture is we’ve got no points.”

There are also no firm return dates for Town’s current injured players – defenders Peter Clarke (shoulder) and Evan Gumbs (hernia) and midfielder Matty McDonald (knee).

However, they will get defender Mitch Duggan back from a one-match suspension tomorrow while midfielder Jay Harris continued his comeback from a hamstring injury by playing the second half at Hereford.

“You get suspensions and injuries – it is what it is,” Beesley said.

“The pleasing thing is Jay Harris got another 45 minutes and it was like he’d never been away. He’s going to have to play soon.

“We get Mitch Duggan back at the weekend so it’s another body, so we have to just go again.”

One player who will not be available tomorrow and going forward is midfielder Aaron Bennett, who has opted to join FC United of Manchester after the club received a seven-day notice of approach for his services.

The 19-year-old joined Yellows on the eve of the new season and has made 20 appearances in all competitions, scoring once during the Cheshire Senior Cup win at Ashville last month.

Bennett is the second Town player to move to Broadhurst Park in recent weeks, with striker Jordan Buckley rejoining the Red Rebels whom he left to sign for Town back in 2019.