I swear I did not use foul language, says O’Neill

Josh Green followed for a second bookable offence in the run-up to Dover’s clincher and while his red card was considered harsh by those in attendance at The Crabble, it was O’Neill’s departure which provided the main talking point.

O’Neill is still awaiting the referee’s report from the game, but is keen to distance himself from claims he overstepped the mark with a tirade of foul and abusive language in reaction to a perceived foul on Tony Breeden.

“I swear on my kids’ lives that I used no bad language in any shape or form,” said O’Neill.

“As they celebrated, I walked out of the technical area, maybe ten or 15 yards, and said to the referee you could have helped us, it’s a joke of a decision and our keeper needs protection.

“The one thing I haven’t done is said effing this and effing that.

“I was devastated about it all weekend and I suppose it’s my own fault for coming out of the technical area.

“I’m bitterly disappointed.It doesn’t paint me in any glory and I apologise to the supporters if they feel I let them down.”

With a suspension likely, O’Neill is keener than ever to make his presence felt on the sidelines in the coming week, starting with the home fixture against Workington tomorrow.

The Cumbrian club sit seven points behind Brakes and the former Mansfield striker says the importance of a home win cannot be overstated.

“It’s a huge game. A positive result will increase the gap on the bottom three and it could even be as much as ten points.

“If we can get to 23 points by Christmas, we’ll be well on our way to getting to where we want to be.”