Boss Sandy issues discipline warning after skipper Nketia is red-carded in friendly

With Diamonds leading 1-0 in the first-half, Nketia got involved in a scuffle with a home player five minutes before the break and was red-carded by the referee, with the home player involved seeing yellow.

Stamford then equalised on the stroke of half-time, and although they were a man down for the whole of the second half, Diamonds held on comfortably for the draw, and even had chances to win it.

His players' performance was the big plus for Sandy, but he admitted Nketia's dismissal was a major minus and has made it clear to his captain and the rest of the squad that their discipline has to be better.

With the double sending off of Bruno Andrade and Tyler Winters for fighting each other in a match at Loughborough Students last season still fresh in the manager's mind, he is calling on the squad to keep things squeaky clean.

"I want to assure everyone that Joel got a telling off from me at half-time," Sandy told @AFCRDTV.

"He is our captain, he is our leader, and it's not good enough, no matter what the reason, no matter what the excuse, it is not good enough.

"He has made a mistake, he's owned that, and he knows.

"I have also warned the group, because our season last time capitulated really because of indiscipline, and that is something we need to nip in the bud early.

"The whole group is aware of it, and we know that can't happen again.

"Joel has made a mistake, but it does happen in football.

"But we need to nip it in bud, we need to learn from it, and move on."

At Stamford, Rhys Thorpe had fired Diamonds ahead from the penalty spot, and Sandy was pleased with his team's performance.

"In the first half we were the much better team, in control of the game, and get the goal," said the manager.

"I am disappointed that we haven't gone on to win, but it's pre-season and it's all about minutes, and all about getting those connections.

"In the second half, and playing with 10 men, it was a completely different game where we had to sit in and had to have a good defensive shape.

"Overall, it was really pleasing, apart of course from having to play with 10 men.

"The lads put a good shift in and I was happy with the performance, but we now to build on it."

Diamonds are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Rugby Town.

Wellingborough Town travelled to Leighton Town for their latest pre-season friendly, and secured a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from Danny Draper and Lloyd Buckby.

The Doughboys are back on home soil on Tuesday night when they host Rushden & Higham United.