KARL Robinson felt Joe Morrell’s sending-off against Oxford United could have gone either way.

The Portsmouth midfielder was shown a straight red card just 16 minutes into the Sky Bet League One clash after his foot struck Cameron Brannagan’s head when the U’s No 8 ducked to win the ball.

That decision went against the visitors, but they were arguably lucky to escape a second dismissal when George Hirst led with his arm in an aerial duel with Elliott Moore.

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The striker was only booked for the 28th-minute challenge and U’s head coach Robinson felt it deserved more.

He said: “There were a lot of really aggressive tackles in the first 15 minutes, three or four from behind.

“I think that led to the anticipation of the sending off.

“If it’s me, it’s a red, if I was them it’s not a red. It think it’s one of those that’s left to interpretation and that’s down to the referee.

“After that, the elbow on Elliott was more of a red than the first one.”

Hirst’s booking was one of 11 yellow cards in a fiesty clash that included a total of 17 minutes of stoppage-time and a 30-minute interval due to a medical incident in the tunnel.

United released a brief statement on the delay, writing: "There was a situation that required medical attention in the tunnel area.

"We thank the medical services for their swift response and the match referee who asked both teams to remain in their changing rooms to allow the paramedics room to check that all was well.

"We would also like to thank fans of both teams for their patience while the second half was delayed."

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Pompey reverted to 5-3-1 after Morrell’s red card and it was virtually attack versus defence for the rest of the contest, with United taking 28 shots to their opponents’ three and enjoying 76 per cent of possession.

Leading 2-1 with ten minutes left, they appeared on course for an unlikely victory only for Brannagan and Nathan Holland to fire home from long range late on.

Pompey manager Danny Cowley told The News: “The sending-off has a huge effect on the game – it’s not a sending-off.

“His foot was high because the ball was high. I don’t think they understand the rules.

“Of course it was, the foot was high because the ball was high.

“It was a reaction, Joe turned and tried to win the second ball.

“Cameron Brannagan dropped his head to about one metre.

“Let’s face it, Joe hasn’t got the longest legs, has he? He’s just tried to help it on.

“The referee can’t see it – he’s guessed.

“One of our players and Cameron Brannagan are directly in front of his view.”