SWINDON Town head coach Jody Morris and Newport County manager Graham Coughlin both thought the referee made a mistake in sending Rushian Hepburn-Murphy off in Saturday’s 2-1 Exiles victory.

The 15th-minute incident began when Hepburn-Murphy chased after James Clarke and fouled the Newport man near the home dugout. Clarke bundled the 24-year-old to the floor after a tangle of legs, and Hepburn-Murphy then reacted by throwing his hands into the top half of Cameron Norman, who had arrived on the scene.

Referee Neil Hair took his time to consider the situation but decided the offence was worthy of a red card.

Town made it to half-time at 0-0 but conceded twice through Norman and Calum Kavanagh in the second half, prior to Tomi Adeloye’s excellent touch and finish late on.

Post-match, County boss Coughlan disagreed with the dismissal of Hepburn-Murphy and stated “the game has gone” if players are sent off for a mere push.

Speaking to the South Wales Argus, Coughlan said: “I personally wouldn’t have sent the lad off for that.

"Yes, to the letter of the law, he raised his hands, but he is a young lad and sometimes they do daft things.

“Hopefully he learns from it and doesn’t beat himself up about it, because he won’t be the first or last to do that.

“The occasion possibly got to him, and it will be a big learning curve for him, but the game has gone when you are sending people off for that.

“He didn’t chuck a punch. I would have been disappointed if one of my players was sent off for that.

“If he smashes someone, then throw the book at him, but I’m not sure players should be sent off for a push.”

MATCH REPORT: Morris makes losing start as Town beaten by Newport.

REACTION: Head coach 'disappointed' by ball-use in defeat to County.

Unsurprisingly, Town chief Morris agreed with Coughlan and admitted that while Hepburn-Murphy could have avoided the situation all together, the eventual punishment was too severe.

Morris said: “I’m frustrated that he’s put himself in that position, of course, and he apologised to the lads when we got back into the dressing room.

“Of course you don’t want people making stupid decisions, but my take on it is, if someone is going down holding their face when they’ve been pushed in the chest, I’ll always find a problem in that.

“If that warrants a red card, then there could be quite a few red cards every weekend.

“Is it silly? It something you could’ve done without? Absolutely. I’m just saying I felt it was a little bit harsh.”