Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has revealed he is considering appealing  Anthony Stewart’s red card following the 1-0 defeat at MK Dons.

The centre-back was given his marching orders five minutes before half-time when he fouled Troy Parrott in the penalty area.

The on loan Tottenham Hotspur man took the resulting penalty and scored, which gave Wanderers their second league loss of the season as they drop to sixth in the league.

Speaking after the defeat, Ainsworth said: “I don’t think it was a red card.

“I’ll give them a penalty as it was a foul in the box, but it was a genuine attempt for the ball and when I asked the referee, he said it was a 'push', but I can’t see a push.

“There was no push in there.

“To me, it was a genuine attempt to play the ball as Anthony Stewart genuinely went for the ball and that is a yellow.

“I don’t understand how it was a red card.

"He has made a genuine attempt to play the ball – how can you get sent off?

“I want to appeal Anthony’s card, but I am not sure if we will or not.

“I can’t see how if you make a genuine attempt for the ball, and you get sent off for that, why do we have this rule?

“Just say referee’s digression.

“He should have stayed on the pitch.

“But I am not complaining as it was a penalty.

“Well done to MK Dons, you beat us, but you didn’t put us to bed with 10 men.”

Despite the setback, Wycombe battled well to stop their Buckinghamshire rivals going further ahead, as David Stockdale produced several stunning saves in the second period.

Ryan Tafazolli, Jordan Obita, Jack Grimmer and Joe Jacobson also did their part in keeping the score down, as MK couldn’t get their second.

The defeat means Wanderers are still waiting for their first league win away at MK Dons since April 2010, and with another trip on Tuesday night against Shrewsbury, some changes to the starting 11 will more than likely be needed, if Stewart’s red card is upheld.

But on his side’s performance, Ainsworth added: “I thought my boys were superb with 10 men.

“They defended so stoutly.

“They were really good and we knew it was going to be really tough as they are a good side and they keep possession really well.

“But, I said at half-time, if we can soak up the pressure and defend, we could get them on the break and it nearly happened.

“It was so close and I am proud of that performance.

“We brought on Akinfenwa and Hanlan, and we played Man City on Tuesday, so the legs for me shows our phenomenal fitness levels and I am proud of them.

“I’m just gutted with that decision as we played some great stuff in the first-half, as their keeper made a great save from Sam Vokes, we hit the crossbar, but sadly, it just didn’t go our way.

“It’s tough, but they are a good side and they also didn’t put the game away at 10 men which pleases me.

“Curtis Thompson, Josh Scowen, and the back three who all played in midweek, showed a fabulous strength, fitness, and organisation.”

The two sides will meet again on October 5 at Stadium: MK in the Papa John’s Trophy.