Thomas Frank insisted Chris Mepham’s sending off was “very harsh” and his side did not deserve to lose his first game as head coach.
Mepham was dismissed for two bookable offences, the first for his part in a bust-up with Bristol City players before an apparent trip on the subsequent match-winner Niclas Eliasson.
The City right-back scored right at the death and Frank, who was promoted from assistant after Dean Smith joined Aston Villa this week, says it hurts more to lose as the man in charge.
“It’s difficult to see even on the replays but I would say both cards are harsh. When you combine them, it’s very harsh,” the Dane said.
“Maybe there was slight contact on the second one, maybe not. You’ve seen those given before, but the first one is tricky.
“There is a melee and Kamo is being kicked three times on the ground by the City player. Mepham just ran up and protected his team-mate and got a yellow card.
“He didn’t really do anything. Yeah he pushed him a little bit but, come on.
“It does hurt more when you have the final responsibility and decisions. You’re still passionate as assistant, and I think it hurts all our staff and fans. But it hurts a little more than before.
“In spells we were on top of the game, we dominated, we were aggressive under pressure, we created chances, and it was difficult for Bristol City to get out of it.
“There are positives I can take. There was a clear sequence of what I would like to see.”