Shaun Miller will today begin a two-match ban as the Carlisle United hitman becomes the first player in the country to serve a retrospective suspension under a new FA rule.

Striker Miller was charged by the national governing body with "successful deception of a match official" on Thursday, with the Blues appealing the decision later that day.

But, yesterday afternoon, Carlisle said they had lost their appeal.

It means Miller, 30, will miss this afternoon's home clash against second-placed Notts County (Brunton Park, 3pm kick-off), and will also miss next Saturday's trip to Chesterfield.

The charge relates to the penalty United were awarded in the first half of Tuesday night's 3-3 draw with Wycombe when Miller went down under a challenge from away defender Daniel Scarr.

United chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: "We are very disappointed with this outcome. In our view, there was no intent to deceive the referee [Scott Duncan] and it is not a clear act either.

"Shaun and no other Carlisle United player appealed for a penalty. They all played on and were not expecting or seeking any decision.

"You can see from the footage that they were all surprised when a penalty was given."

At his weekly press conference yesterday - prior to the decision of Carlisle's appeal - manager Keith Curle remained tight-lipped on the situation and would only explain why the club had decided to appeal the charge against Miller.

"We don't think he has simulated a dive," Curle said. "There's a challenge there, upper body contact and he loses his balance.

"Even then, he still tries to carry on and play the ball. There is no simulation there in our view."

Miller's surprise absence could provide fellow frontman Richie Bennett, returning from his own three-match ban, with the perfect opportunity to force his way into manager Curle's side. Hallam Hope and Cumbrian Steven Rigg are United's other main attacking options.

Captain Danny Grainger will also return from suspension, while defender Tom Parkes serves the final game of his four-match ban.

The Cumbrians will be aiming to get their first home win in more than two months, and only their second of the 2017/18 campaign, today.

Asked if his team's current troubles at Brunton Park were becoming a problem, Blues boss Curle said: "Only if you make it one!

"I think every single player, every single coach and probably every single supporter as well would say, if they could choose which games they get to win, they would probably choose the home ones. I don't think our players are any different. They want to get results at home.

"We are a work in progress at the minute and we are working hard. There is an air of expectancy because of how well we did home and away last season. So, the players and the staff are wanting to get those results. But you have to earn them.

"The performances are coming at home, and that's the pleasing thing. But if there is an expectancy that we will go out and roll teams over, that will not be the case."

Notts County's Cumbrian keeper Adam Collin missed their 2-0 defeat to Crewe on Tuesday and was sent for a precautionary scan on a knee injury which is likely to sideline him again. Dan Jones (hamstring) is another injury doubt for the Magpies, while Michael O’Connor is a long-term absentee.