Hastings manager Steve Lovell has given bad boy Duncan McArthur one more chance to clean up his act.

The 22-year-old was shown a straight red card for elbowing an opponent during Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Folkestone Invicta.

McArthur has a lengthy list of misdemeanors in his four-year career at Hastings. Last season the former Albion professional was sent off twice, booked ten times and missed 16 games through suspension.

Lovell will not tolerate a repeat and has pleaded with the talented midfielder to behave himself.

He said: "I always give people a chance and that's his last one. I cannot legislate for that kind of behaviour because he let everyone down.

"He did not show respect to the rest of his team or the supporters who travelled to see the game. We might have got something out of Folkestone had we not gone down to ten men.

"Everyone is allowed to make a mistake and that is his last one as far as I'm concerned. Now he is on his final life, so he has to make sure it doesn't happen again."

The Folkestone game was Lovell's second since taking charge in the summer following United's relegation from the Dr Martens premier division.

McArthur showed what he can do in the first game with a superb goal in the 3-1 home win against Corby.

McArthur has undoubted ability and former manager George Wakeling stuck by him last season but Lovell is not so understanding.

Lovell said: "He is a fantastic player with a lot of quality but he has to learn to curb the other side of his game. It was the first time I have seen it since I have been at the club and it was very disappointing.

"I have spoken to him about it and he knows what he has to do, so it is up to him now."

Lovell is not the only one to have lost patience with McArthur. Fans have inundated the club website and called for the troubled play-maker to be hit with a hefty fine.

Lovell admits he is unsure whether McArthur can control his temper on the pitch but says time is running out.

He said: "Only he knows whether he can change that side of his game but I hope he does for everyone's sake.

"With the budget I have, we cannot afford to have someone with his quality on the sidelines. He is no use to anyone if he is sitting in the stands, so if it carries on then I will have to take action."