David Cuffley The Canaries were today sweating on the outcome of an appeal against Gary Doherty's sending-off in the 2-1 home defeat by Bristol City on Saturday. An FA commission was sitting at Soho Square to decide whether to wipe out the red card shown by referee Andy D'Urso when defender Doherty was adjudged to have brought down Dele Adebola in the 44th minute.

David Cuffley

The Canaries were today sweating on the outcome of an appeal against Gary Doherty's sending-off in the 2-1 home defeat by Bristol City on Saturday.

An FA commission was sitting at Soho Square to decide whether to wipe out the red card shown by referee Andy D'Urso when defender Doherty was adjudged to have brought down Dele Adebola in the 44th minute.

The Billericay official also awarded the visitors a penalty, which right-back Bradley Orr scored to seal a 2-1 win.

Although the infringement would normally result in a one-match ban, the 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international faces a two-match suspension because of his dismissal at Nottingham Forest earlier in the season.

City manager Bryan Gunn said: “We've looked at it over the weekend on replays, ITV's The Championship and our club footage. We certainly see Gary Doherty playing the ball before anything else and we are appealing on that basis.”

An appeal was lodged with the FA yesterday. A commission of three members was today reviewing the DVD evidence before reaching a decision.

No one from the club, nor the referee, is entitled to attend the hearing, which will be held behind closed doors.

The commission has the power to overturn Doherty's two-match ban if it agrees that the referee made an error in sending him off.

They could also extend the ban if they feel the appeal is “frivolous”.

Doherty's red card, if it stands, was City's 12th sending-off in less than two seasons and the fourth of his City career.

Last season's tally of seven dismissals was the Canaries' worst since 10 players were sent off in the 1996-97 season.

A further five red cards have been shown so far this term.

t City's red cards

Sept 18, 2007 (Charlton 2, Norwich 0): Dion Dublin

Sept 22, 2007 (Wolves 2, Norwich 0): Jason Shackell, Julien Brellier (two yellows)

Nov 4, 2007 (Norwich 2, Ipswich 2): Darren Huckerby

Feb 16, 2008 (Leicester 4, Norwich 0): Darel Russell

March 8, 2008 (Coventry 1, Norwich 0): Gary Doherty (two yellows), Darel Russell (two yellows)

Sept 30, 2008 (Southampton 2,

Norwich 0): Dejan Stefanovic

Nov 8, 2008 (Norwich 2, Preston 2): Darel Russell

Nov 22, 2008 (Nottm Forest 1, Norwich 2): Gary Doherty

Nov 29, 2008 (Sheff Wed 3, Norwich 2): John Kennedy

Feb 7, 2009 (Norwich 1, Bristol City 2): Gary Doherty (subject to appeal)

t Season by season

1993-94: 3

1994-95: 3

1995-96: 5

1996-97: 10

1997-98: 4

1998-99: 4

1999-2000: 3

2000-01: 1

2001-02: 1

2002-03: 1

2003-04: 3

2004-05: 2

2005-06: 2

2006-07: 3

2007-08: 7

2008-09: 5 (one subject to appeal)