Red card could have been avoided, says Holleran

Joe Magunda leaves the pitch following his sending-off against Nuneaton.

However, he reserved his most stinging criticism for opposite number Brian Reid, who he felt inflamed the situation with a foul-mouthed tirade.

“It was blown out of all proportion, mainly by their manager intimidating the referee on the line. He needs to read the Conference code of conduct.

“Joe’s missed a lot of pre-season and was a little bit off the pace, but he made little contact.

“I turned around to Jack Edwards and told him to get ready and I was going to bring Joe off to defuse the situation.

“He’s a referee who never normally makes decisions and I just ask that in situations like that they give themselves a few seconds. Sadly, that didn’t happen and it was disappointing.”

Magunda is set to face a three-match ban but will be available for tomorrow’s season-opener at home to Guiseley.

Guiseley overcame a dreadful start last season to reach the play-offs, only to lose the final to a dramatic extra-time winner from Altrincham.

And Holleran sees no reason why the West Yorkshire side should not be challenging at the business end again this season.

“It’s one to look forward to.

“I tipped them last year and once they got going they were the best side in the league.

“We’ve watched them in pre-season and they’ve got good depth - 20 good players.

“But every game is tough in this league, whether we were starting against Gloucester, Worcester or Barrow.

“It’s a tough opening month.

“We’ll just have to be disciplined and hard-working and hope the players at the top end can bang in a few goals.”