LONDON, Feb 12, 2008 (AFP) - Lee Bowyer has escaped a three-match ban after having the red card he received during West Ham's 1-1 draw with Birmingham rescinded on appeal.

The Hammers midfielder was dismissed for what appeared to be a two-footed tackle on Birmingham captain Damien Johnson near the end of the match.

But after reviewing footage of the challenge, the Football Association (FA) ruled that it did not merit a straight red card for serious foul play.

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was also a relieved man on Tuesday after the FA decided to take no action over an incident in which he appeared to lash out at Aston Villa's Shaun Maloney during his side's 4-1 defeat on Saturday.

The governing body judged television footage of the tussle between the two players, which the referee missed, to be 'inconclusive.'