LEE Bradbury is hoping to clear his name after seeing red during Cherries' incident-packed League One encounter with Leeds last night.

The striker was sent off by Premiership referee Steve Bennett after allegedly elbowing defender Matt Heath midway through the second half.

But speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Bradbury claimed that any contact had been "unintentional" and is keen for boss Kevin Bond to lodge an appeal.

The 32-year-old is facing an automatic three-match ban and would miss Cherries' FA Cup trip to Barrow, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash against MK Dons and the League One visit to Hartlepool.

Bradbury said: "I went up to head the ball and Heath pulled me back. I put my arm across his chest and may have also caught him in the face with my hand. If I did, it was unintentional and he went down as if I'd elbowed him in the face.

"I didn't realise the referee had given a free kick for me but he said that I had elbowed him after I had won the free kick.

"I didn't elbow him and if that's the referee's verdict, then hopefully we will be able to get the decision reversed.

"The gaffer said he would look at the DVD. I told him what happened and he said that if that was the case, we would look at trying to appeal. We've got some important games coming up and I don't want to miss any."

Bradbury's dismissal came with Cherries trailing 2-1 after Jem Karacan's stunning 37th-minute strike had been sandwiched between goals from Tresor Kandol and Seb Carole.

Former Dean Court striker Kandol added a late third to complete the scoring to extend Cherries' winless home league run to 11 games, eight this season and three last.

Cherries boss Bond said: "It was an exciting game and we were disappointed not to get anything from it. No disrespect to Leeds, but I thought the scoreline flattered them.

"I thought we gave a good account of ourselves. We gave away two bad goals at the start of each half and it was always going to be difficult once Bradders had been sent off. It was almost like we didn't believe we could get back into the game after that. Their third goal was harsh on us.

"We knew it was going to be tough but our season wasn't going to be won or lost tonight because there are many more games to play.

"There were a lot of positives to take and if we keep performing like that, we will win more than we lose."

Cherries skipper Darren Anderton is today expected to undergo a scan to ascertain the full extent of a hamstring injury which forced him off in the second half.

Adam Lallana's one-month loan spell expired following last night's match and Bond is due to speak to chairman Jeff Mostyn regarding a possible extension.

Meanwhile, Reading pair Jem Karacan and Scott Golbourne have been given permission to line up in Cherries' FA Cup tie at Barrow, although the Royals do not want James Henry and Alex Pearce cup tied.