THOUSANDS of Wycombe Wanderers fans painted the town red after their club sensationally set up an FA Cup semi-final clash with Premiership giants Liverpool by beating Leicester City 2-1 in the sixth round tie on Saturday.

Victory was clinched by Roy Essandoh who recently joined the injury-ravaged club after a teletext appeal for players.

A day full of high drama included the sending off of Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez for arguing with the referee over a penalty decision and the dismissal of Steve Brown for celebrating the winning goal by taking his shirt off.

This was Steve's second yellow card and he now faces a four-match ban after the FA said it could not do anything about the ruling.

Our sister paper, the Bucks Free Press and Midweek, launched a campaign on Tuesday to get the ban overturned, and fans moved quickly to give their support to Steve.

Linda Geddes, who works in High Wycombe, said: "I think the FA's decision to ban Steve Brown is nothing short of petty and vindictive."

She added: "Given the circumstances, anyone with half a heart would understand that he was overcome with emotion on such an occasion. I sincerely hope the Free Press's campaign is successful and that Steve gets the opportunity to show his little boy what he can do when Wycombe gets into the final."

Julian Smith, of Honor End Lane, Prestwood, said: "I could not believe it when Steve Brown was sent off for the trivial offence of removing his shirt. I therefore write in support of your campaign and trust that the FA will see sense."

Mr Finch, of Parsonage Close, High Wycombe, said: "The sending off was stupid under the circumstances. The referee missed a blatant penalty. The Leicester manager, Steve Guppy and numerous Leicester fans saw it was a penalty."

Wycombe district councillor Ted Collins said a shirt booking should only be for provoking crowd incitement, and added: "Brownie was walking away from fans, back to the centre spot when he took off his shirt. I should know. I was in the front row of Wycombe fans. What an FA disgrace."