Oldham Athletic defender Gus Scott-Morriss has had his red card and subsequent three-match suspension rescinded by the Football Association. The decision was announced on August 25, 2026, just days before the Latics' League Two fixture against Swindon Town this Saturday. This news, reported by Football Lowdown, provides a significant boost for a squad sitting 12th in the table with three points from two games.
Scott-Morriss was shown a straight red in first-half added time during last Saturday's away match at Colchester United. The 29-year-old, who joined from Southend United in May on a two-year deal, was adjudged to have fouled Colchester defender Ellis Iandolo. Manager Micky Mellon was furious with the decision at the time, and the club later reviewed footage before the FA intervened.
What happened in the Colchester match?
The game had started well for Oldham. Keenan Appiah-Forson gave them a 20th-minute lead. The red card changed everything, forcing the visitors to play the entire second half with ten men. Colchester United dominated possession with 77% after the break. They equalised through Harry Anderson in the 64th minute and were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left. Goalkeeper Mathew Hudson produced a vital save from Jack Payne's spot-kick to keep the scores level.
Oldham's resilience was finally broken deep into added time. A heartbreaking own goal from defender Lewis Temple handed Colchester a 2-1 victory. The loss left Oldham with a recent form of LW and a goal difference of +1, having scored three and conceded two this season. You can review the team's detailed performance on our stats page.
Why did the club appeal the red card?
Initially, manager Micky Mellon stated the club would not appeal. "You won’t win it, so no." he said post-match. However, after reviewing the incident footage, the club's perspective changed. The FA's independent panel agreed the dismissal was erroneous, overturning both the card and the automatic suspension. Mellon had felt strongly that the decision cost his team, remarking, "We weren’t beaten by the better team, and that’s with all respect."
How does this affect Oldham's squad?
The rescinding means Gus Scott-Morriss is immediately available for selection. He started both of Oldham's matches this season, including the opening day win against Port Vale. His availability is a major relief for defensive options ahead of a busy period. The squad's current depth and any fitness concerns can be monitored on our injuries page.
What's next for Oldham Athletic?
Oldham now prepares to host Swindon Town this weekend with a full squad. The three points on offer are important as the Latics aim to close the three-point gap to early leaders Barnet. Scott-Morriss's return bolsters the defence for a match that could help improve their league standing, which you can follow on our standings page. Manager Mellon will be demanding a response from his players after the unfortunate defeat at Colchester.
