ROB Atkinson will be available for Oxford United tomorrow night after an appeal into his red card was successful.

The centre back was given a straight red card in stoppage time of the 2-0 defeat at Lincoln City on Saturday.

But the U's were confident video footage proved referee Andy Davies had made an incorrect decision - and an appeals panel agreed.

Also read: Oxford United expect Josh Ruffels to be out for 'weeks'

It means the 22-year-old will avoid a three-game suspension, so can feature against Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Head coach Karl Robinson said he had been in contact with the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), the body responsible for match officials, over the weekend. 

Speaking before the outcome, said: "It will be overturned, surely? It’s got to be.

"Some of the decisions on Saturday were shambolic, embarrassing.

"I’ve been told by the PGMOL they agree – not in that exact wording, obviously.

"He was way off the mark to referee. He missed a terrible tackle on Marcus (McGuane) which only got a free-kick, it was reckless and out of control and a blatant penalty.

"Then the second goal the wording from other people was ‘we don’t know why he’s given a free-kick’.

"Then the sending off, if that’s reckless and out of control he’d be sending off 70 or 80 players this year if that’s the benchmark.

"The PGMOL were outstanding Saturday night, Sunday afternoon and today. The people I’ve spoken to have been absolutely fantastic."