SOUTHEND United defender Nathan Ralph will serve a one match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.

Ralph was booked for diving late on against Torquay United on Saturday.

And Blues boss Phil Brown felt Ralph’s latest caution was out of character for the 28-year-old.

“A genuine character like Nathan Ralph is getting booked for diving,” said Ralph.

“I just that to him in there.

“It’s out of character and this is I’m hoping is out of character (for us all). We’ve got to turn it round quickly.”

Ralph will now miss Blues’ match at Solihull Moors at the start of October after being shown five yellow cards in seven games.