PHIL PARKINSON is resigned to being without George Evans for the rest of the year.

The midfielder was shown a straight red card by referee Ollie Yates in Saturday's hard-fought 2-1 win against Colchester United at The Racecourse.

Already booked in the League Two contest, the 28-year-old was dismissed in the 26th minute following a late challenge on Arthur Read.

Evans - sent off for the first time in his career - is now facing a three-game ban, meaning he will miss Saturday's Welsh derby at home to Newport County as well as the Boxing Day trip to Swindon Town and clash at Walsall on Friday December 29.

In excellent form since joining Wrexham from Championship outfit Millwall on transfer deadline day, Evans won't be available until the New Year's Day meeting with promotion rivals Barrow at The Racecourse.

"The first one, I didn't think George should have gone in for that challenge," said Parkinson. "He has closed the lad down.

"The second one, I have only seen it from one angle so I can't see whether there was contact.

"If there was contact, it is disappointing but the less said about the referee the better.

"George has been brilliant for us and it is the first sending off of his career.

"He is really frustrated but it happens and we move on."

Fellow midfielder Elliot Lee had given Wrexham an early lead, with the Reds' leading scorer bagging his 12th goal of the season on his 29th birthday.

"I am really pleased with Elliot, another goal for him," said Parkinson, who saw an own goal double Wrexham's lead in the second half before Colchester grabbed a late consolation.

"He reacts like a striker, in the box he has got that instinct and things just tend to fall to him.

"It is a great return for him but not just that, his work for the team was exceptional again and it was a great birthday present for him to get a goal."