Bristol Rovers midfielder Luke McCormick has apologised to fans following his red card in the Gas’ 1-0 defeat to Burton Albion on Tuesday night.
Having already been booked in the first half, McCormick was dismissed in the 52nd minute at the Pirelli Stadium in slightly surreal circumstances as he kicked the ball away as Burton tried to take a quick throw-in.
After the game, manager Joey Barton said the Chelsea loanee would learn from the experience but confessed it was a decision which altered the course of the result.
Once again, Rovers were the better side but, akin to last week’s 2-1 home defeat to Wigan, they conspired to allow the opposition into the game and claim the three points.
“I apologise for the red card last night Rovers fans, with 11 men I believe we would have taken a positive result from the game,” McCormick wrote on Twitter. “I’ll learn from this and be ready to finish the season strongly.”
McCormick’s dismissal means the 21-year-old will miss Saturday’s trip to promotion-chasing Hull but will be back in contention for the match at the Mem the following Tuesday against Accrington Stanley.
McCormick has started all three matches for the Gas under Barton and had developed a real chemistry and understanding alongside Josh Grant and Zain Westbrooke.
His most likely replacement at the KCOM Stadium will be Ed Upson who started Barton’s first match in charge and has been on the bench for the last two contests.
