Dagnall’s dismissal dismays Milanese
LEYTON Orient boss Mauro Milanese felt Chris Dagnall’s controversial red card cost his side the chance of a precious point on the road, as Bradford ended a near-two month wait for a home win.
Orient had fought hard to level the game at 1-1 with 15 minutes left, but Dagnall’s rough tackle on Stephen Darby earned him a straight red – with two goals in the six minutes following that incident gifting Bradford the win.
And Milanese was quick to point out the referee’s error in dismissing Dagnall, saying his side deserved a point up until that moment.
“I could see that it was definitely a yellow card – never a red. He lost possession of the ball and was slightly late, so it couldn’t be a red,” Milanese said.
“The referee’s decision made it difficult for us.
“The game clearly changed when Dagnall was sent off, and we probably deserved a draw when we scored to make it 1-1.
“It was a tough afternoon for us. It was difficult to play against such a solid team. They play quite direct and tried to push on us, but we did okay for parts of the game. But obviously when you get level and lose it’s a disappointment.”
The Bantams led at the break courtesy of Billy Knott’s 42nd-minute strike, after the impressive Jon Stead squared for him to tap into an empty net. After a half of heavy pressure from Bradford, it was the least they deserved.
But Orient hit back well in the second period, and levelled up with 15 minutes left when substitute David Mooney fired past Jordan Pickford. Just two minutes after that goal though, Orient were a man down, after Dagnall saw red from referee Darren Handley.
And Bradford, who had not won at home since October 4, took full advantage of the extra man, with two late goals to seal the win.
After Billy Clarke restored Bradford’s lead, Stead pounced on an error from Adam Legzdins to seal all three points, leaving Bantams assistant Steve Parkin a happy man following the final whistle. “We’ve been playing well lately, so there’s not been a panic surrounding us. It was only a matter of time before we got the result we deserved,” Parkin said.“We’re disappointed to concede, but in general we could have scored half a dozen.
“We’ve played really well over the last three or four games at home but haven’t got over the line, but Orient must have been delighted at halftime they were only one down.
“There’s a good feeling in the camp.We’re all working hard and the results are starting to show.”