The exit from the Carling Cup was not the main disappointment for George Burley as for the second consecutive match he saw his side finish the game with ten men.

"I thought we played some great stuff and  knocked it about well and we created numerous opportunities.

"We conceded a goal at the start of the second half, which was against the run of play. Then Wilfred Zaha got sent off, which was the biggest disappointment of the night.

"He was roasting the full-back time and time again. He had no protection from the referee. The linesman saw him flick a leg out after he was kicked first. We're trying to develop young talent here and trying to get them to play football, and referees need to be careful with a talent like that. He needs to be protected.

"You could see the talent he had and it was great to watch. For me, that spoiled the game for a young talent, who has never hurt anyone in his life or injured anybody, to be sent off like that."

Even with the dismissal of Zaha his side kept pushing but in the end the tired legs just couldn't get the team over the final hurdle of a penalty shoot out.

"We still created a number of chances with 10 men, so I couldn't have asked any more from the boys.  I think you could see a number of them struggled to get to the penalty spot with fatigue after the amount of hard work they put in.

"I have to give credit for the spirit they showed the whole game."

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