CITY defender Michael Spillane has escaped a four-match ban after the Football Association overturned his red card picked-up playing for the reserves.

Spillane's sending-off in the 1-1 draw with Colchester United's second string was his second in successive reserve team matches following his dismissal against Ipswich in December.

As it was his second in a row, his punishment would have been increased by one further game on top of the usual three-match ban.

But after sending video evidence of the game to the FA, their regulatory commission supported the Club's claim for wrongful dismissal, making him available for selection by Glenn Roeder for the first team matches with Southampton, Preston, Cardiff and Hull.

Spillane received his marching orders in the 73^rd minute for a sliding tackle on Jamie Guy which appeared to win the ball cleanly, the Colchester player hurdling the City Academy product in the process.

But referee Whitton astonished those inside Carrow Road by producing a red card. It had been Spillane's first game back since serving a ban for his sending off in the 5-1 defeat at home to Ipswich.