SKIPPER Jason Pearce has been hit with a three-match ban following his sending off in the second leg of the League One play-off semi-final against Huddersfield.

Pearce received a straight red card from referee Neil Swarbrick following a challenge on Town loan star Kevin Kilbane during the second period of extra time.

The official deemed the offence serious foul play, with Pearce set to miss the first three games of next season after Cherries opted against appealing the decision.

Swarbrick had earlier inexplicably shown Kilbane only a yellow card after the Hull City midfielder had shoved the referee following a spat with Adam Smith.