The midfielder was given his marching orders for two yellow card offences, his second for dissent.

Bangura will be banned for one reserve game, the suspension kicking in a fortnight – on March 22.

It capped off a bad day with Pool soundly beaten 3-0 and Danny Coid limping off after feeling his hamstring.

It's a blow for Coid, who is aiming to get himself fit and ready to make a comeback before the end of the season.

However, the defender insisted it wasn't serious. "I just felt the hamstring tighten but I came off as a precaution, nothing more," he said.

"Normally I'd have carried on but with the way my season has gone I can't take any risks.

"I've only been back in training for a week since my hamstring went last time so I have to be sensible.

"There is no point taking a risk with something like that."

Gary Parkinson took the team, with assistant boss Steve Thompson watching from the sidelines.

It was an opportunity for senior players like Billy Clarke, Paul Rachubka, Andy Butler and Steve McPhee to stake a claim.

All got 90 minutes under their belts but Rochdale dominated the contest and ran out easy winners.