BRADFORD CITY AFC

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson expressed his disappointment at seeing City winger Kyle Bennett receive a straight red card for a first half altercation with Preston North End's Neil Kilkenny during Tuesday night's goalless draw with the Lilywhites.

Bennett, one of two City debutants on show this Tuesday evening, was given a straight red card midway through the opening period after appearing to exchange one shove each with Kilkenny, who also picked up a red for his involvement in the incident.

Bennett's case seemingly wasn't helped either by a dubious fall to the ground by Kilkenny following the brief spot of shoving.

Replays of the coming-together seem to suggest that any contact was fairly minimal, and Parkinson reckons that both Bennett and Kilkenny were extremely unlucky to see red.

If City don't decide to lodge any sort of appeal against Bennett's dismissal, the winger, who is on loan from Doncaster Rovers, will miss the Bantams' next three games as the caution will be classed as 'violent conduct'.

Parkinson said: "I've had the benefit of seeing the incident again, and to lose Kyle Bennett now for three games because of this is ridiculous.

"I think a yellow card for each would have sufficed.

"I think the fact that Kilkenny has gone to ground though has cost both players in the end. There was nothing in the incident at all.

"Stuart Attwell is a good referee. Whenever we have come across him in the past he has always managed games well, but I just can't see how that is a straight red for both players.

"It was probably a yellow card at worst, or even just a case of having a quick chat with both players and then getting the game underway again.

"It is a big shame for Kyle because he was looking bright in the game and he is someone who I think our supporters will enjoy watching."