WARRINGTON Town will do everything they can to overturn Rory McKeown's three-match ban - but manager Paul Carden is resigned to being without his left-back for their play-off semi-final.

The ever-present Northern Irishman was controversially sent off during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Shaw Lane and his suspension is due to start when Yellows travel to Grantham Town this coming Tuesday, kick off 7.45pm.

The ban will then encompass the trip to Stourbridge on April 28 and their play-off tie, but he will be available again if Town reach the promotion final.

Carden admits he is "gutted" for McKeown, who scored Yellows' winner on Tuesday to secure their play-off berth, but is already assessing his options to replace him, with Jay McEveley or Will Hayhurst likely to fill the void.

"If we can appeal it, we’ll be appealing it but the likelihood is that we won’t be able to," he told the Guardian.

"I’m gutted for Rory because he’s played every game and he’s been victim to a harsh decision, in my opinion.

"That’s the thing about referees. When they haven’t played the game, they don’t realise the importance of making the right decision.

"He’s done it, though, and we’ve just got to get on with it.

"Rory has played all season because he’s the best left-back we’ve got. Arguably, he’s the best left-back in the league.

"Jay McEveley has played left-back, Will Hayhurst has played there so we have got players who can play there."

Before the trip to Grantham, Yellows welcome struggling Halesowen Town to Cantilever Park on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Victory in that game would secure a home play-off tie for Carden's side, but the Town boss is still not giving up hope of catching league leaders Altrincham, who are five points ahead with a game in hand.

Halesowen are safe from relegation, but Carden says that does not mean Yellows will be taking them lightly.

"It’s vital we finish at least second," he said.

"We won’t give anything up. We’ll just keep going.

"While there’s points to play for, we’ll try and take as many as we can.

"When you’re up near the top of the league, players turn up because they want to beat you.

"Just look at Stalybridge beating Ashton on Tuesday. Some of the results you can get are bizarre.

"We won’t take anyone lightly. We’ll be going out as strong as we can be to beat whoever is in front of us."