BURTON Albion manager Gary Rowett was unhappy that Ian Sharps was sent off during the Brewers' 1-0 win over Southend yesterday.

The defender was sent off on the hour mark after receiving two yellow cards from referee Oliver Langford and will miss the second leg of the play-off semi-final at Roots Hall next Saturday.

'”Some of the challenges were cheap and the referee didn’t deal with it early and that caused problems, and we have paid for it with a red card,” said Rowett.

“'The first one isn't handball, it has hit him on the chest, and when you look at some of the challenges their lads made, how Sharps can get a red card is very disappointing.

'”He will now miss the second leg at Southend, who are very strong at home, so we are going to have to see if we can patch up a few players this week.”

But Rowett was more upbeat about the goal, which handed Burton a slim advantage going into Saturday’s second leg.

“It was a fantastically worked goal,” he said. “Maybe the big occasion made us edgy at the start and the goal just before half-time was the first real piece of composure we showed.

“It was lovely in how it was worked, good build-up play between Billy Kee and Adam and a fantastic finish.”

Rowett also praised goalkeeper Dean Lyness after he produced good saves to deny Southend’s Will Atkinson when the game was goalless and a late John Egan shot.

“Dean Lyness’ handling on a wet day was superb,” added Rowett.

“He’s made a great save towards the end and that’s why I’ve stuck with him.”