Dunfermline have lost their appeal against the red card handed out to Gary Mason last Saturday for a challenge on Dundee United striker Johnny Russell.
The Pars felt they had a strong case but the SFA didn’t agree and the midfielder will now sit out the next two games against Hibs and St Mirren.
That heaps further insult to a lengthy injury list for East End Park boss Jim McIntyre who faces a big selection headache for Saturday’s match at Hibs.
He has also revealed that the Pars suffered yet another hammer blow earlier this week when on-loan Hearts full-back Jason Thomson pulled up in training.
McIntyre said: ”Our appeal failed and Gary has received a two-game ban. We appealed it as we definitely felt it wasn’t a red card and we are really disappointed that we have lost that.
”But we just have to move on and put it to bed. It is the last thing we need as our injury list got worse this week when Jason Thomson stretched his groin on Tuesday and he has gone for a scan today.
”The physio fears he could be out for a wee while but we will not set a time frame until we know more.”
The Pars still have Nicky Phinn, Martin Hardie, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Steven Bell, Joe Cardle and Andy Barrowman out injured.
McIntyre added: ”Hardie has started back training this week but he has been out for a while and he is not close to being ready for this Saturday.
”Every team goes through spells where they have horrendous injuries, results don’t go their way and bad luck. This is when you just have to stand up and get on with it.
“Nobody is going to be wandering about here with a long face. We have a determined group of players who are giving their all.
”Yes, we are making mistakes and are getting punished for them but the way they came out last week against Dundee United in the second half down to 10 men told me a lot about the players.
”They had a right go but were sucker punched a couple of times on the break as United deservedly went on to win the game. We have to continue showing that fighting spirit.”
Dunfermline haven’t won in the league since August 20 and their chairman John Yorkston gave his manager the dreaded vote of confidence at the start of this week.
McIntyre insisted he can cope with the pressure.
He said: ”The bottom line is that if results aren’t good enough, people are going to talk about them and try to get an angle. But they also need to have realistic expectations about Dunfermline.”