HARTLEPOOL United yesterday lodged their appeal with the Football Association over the booking issued to Peter Hartley at the weekend.

The centre-half was yellow carded in the first half by referee Andy Woolmer, but it was for a foul committed by left-back Evan Horwood.

It was Hartley's fifth caution of the season and, if it stands, would rule him out of the weekend's game with Yeovil.

Pools supplied DVD footage of the incident as part of their appeal.

They must also send the FA a letter with a written statement by Hartley in which he has to name Horwood as the offender. Appealing the card costs the club £500.

It would be a welcome boost if the card is handed to Horwood, as Hartley's regular central defensive partner Sam Collins has missed the last two games with a calf strain.

There's still no timescale on how long the skipper will be out for.

"Sam is getting better but he's not fit yet,'' said boss Mick Wadsworth.

"He's got a week now and hopefully he'll be available on Saturday. But he's going to find it hard to jump straight back in the team.

"That's how we want it. He didn't jump straight back in last time either at Carlisle.

"It's going to be hard for Sam to get back in if he's fit because I thought Stephen Wright was absolutely outstanding again at the weekend.

"We're getting a settled side at the moment and hopefully we'll have no more injuries.''

And luckless striker James Brown could be back quicker than anticipated. He broke down in training 11 days ago and Wadsworth said: "Brownie doesn't have a hernia, which is good news.

"So we're looking at a groin strain which won't be too long.''

Pools, meanwhile, have logged a complaint with the Football League following the FA Cup exit to Stevenage at Victoria Park.

Victoria Park officials were unhappy at the amount of time that the visiting players remained on the pitch to warm down.

While the visiting substitutes were still warming down at around 5.25pm, Pools turned off the floodlights. The players and their fitness coach waited outside the Victoria Park dressing rooms, not allowed to enter until their manager Graham Westley completed his lengthy after match debriefing with his player.

The FL have written to Stevenage for their take on the situation.