Conor Hourihane thought Mael de Gevigney deserved to be sent off in the 6-2 loss at Birmingham City then, after being proud of his team’s first half display, was frustrated by the second half defending.

De Gevigney was dismissed in the third minute for bringing down Keshi Anderson who was through on goal.

Interim boss Hourihane said: “I thought it was a red. What I am disappointed with is that the one at Wigan a couple of games ago was just as much of a red. We haven’t had the rub of the green.”

The Reds played well in the first half and levelled through Davis Keillor-Dunn but conceded five times after the break - mostly due to individual errors.

Hourihane told the Chronicle: “The first 50 minutes was the best I’ve seen them play in my period. The biggest compliment I can give them is it was like it was 11 against 11.

“In the second half, we gave away poor goals. One was from a set play which is probably the worst way to concede, it should be a basic. Six goals is never nice.

“Individual errors, moments, focus and concentration is what is killing us. But the lads have been brilliant on the training ground and they have done what I have asked them to do in spells.”

He also said: “I said if we could kill the first 15 minutes of the second half we would get chances but the way we started the second half was disappointing.

“I think since September it’s the only time they have conceded two goals at home. There are big positives but the disappointing thing is the goals we’ve conceded.”

Captain Luca Connell told the Chronicle: “It’s always tough when you come to a stadium like this and you’re up against a big team, then you go down to ten men. The lads put in a good shift then we made mistakes which they capitalised on.”