Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield has described Alex Hartridge’s red card in the recent 2-0 victory over Northampton Town has ‘disappointing’.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Chairboys from Exeter City in May, was shown a second yellow card in the EFL Cup win on August 14 for allegedly timewasting.

The defender was seen walking over to the ball to take a throwing before he adjusted his headband.

Already cautioned, referee Declan Bourne thought Wanderers’ number five was deliberately winding the clock down, so he opted to show him yellow card.

However, following Hartridge’s shocked expression, Bourne then realised he had already penalised the defender, before brandishing a red.

There was a delay of around 10 seconds before he was sent off.

Bloomfield said: “It’s disappointing.

“We chased him for a long time and were really pleased to get him in the building.

“So I'm not sure if the referee knew he had already been booked.

“There was a big delay between the booking and the sending off.

“So maybe if he realised that it was a second booking

“I'm just assuming from the actions on the night.

“There didn't seem a particularly long delay in restarting the game.

“But we have to be wary of that as it allows others to get back into the game.”