VAR on a shoestring.

That is how Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling described the FA’s decision to hand skipper Luke Prosser a one-match ban which caused him to miss their 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers, following a case of mistaken identity.

There is no doubt that referee Ollie Yates made an error in cautioning U’s right-back Ryan Jackson rather than Prosser during their 3-1 triumph at Cheltenham Town, earlier this month.

And there were no arguments after Prosser was pulled up for a foul later in the match and shown a yellow card for the first time by referee Yates.

But the decision to subsequently ban Prosser for a red card he did not actually receive is baffling, to say the least.

Just like everyone else, referees make mistakes.

Admittedly, it was a pretty glaring error to caution Jackson rather than Prosser but these things happen.

What is astonishing is that Colchester have had to pay the price for that blunder.

And as chairman Cowling says, the consequences of the mistake affected the way in which not only Prosser and Jackson played in that Cheltenham game but also potentially the actions of boss John McGreal.

So it seems ludicrous that Colchester were punished – with no right to appeal – for something that was essentially out of their hands.

No wonder boss McGreal was ‘fuming’ after the Tranmere game, despite seeing his side battle to a hard-earned and well-deserved point at his old stomping ground.

Aside from one lapse which allowed the predatory James Norwood to put Tranmere ahead just before half-time, Colchester defended well at Prenton Park despite the absence of Prosser.

Frankie Kent and Tom Eastman were solid in central defence and in front of them, stand-in skipper Harry Pell led the way with another impressive display.

Nevertheless, Prosser’s suspension robbed Colchester of their captain and a key player.

And given their fine start to the season, they might argue that had he been playing at Tranmere, they might have gained three points and not just the one they eventually came away with.