Conor Hourihane agreed with the decision to send off Vimal Yoganathan but was pleased with his side’s character again in a 1-1 home draw with Bolton Wanderers.
David McGoldrick opened the scoring then Yoganathan was sent off on 52 minutes before ex-Red John McAtee levelled late on.
Hourihane said: “There were lots of pleasing aspects. The first half was two teams going at it.
“We were a bit sloppy at times and I would have liked more control. We spoke at half-time about running in behind then the goals comes from that.
“The red card swings the game but I am really pleased with the reaction.
“I believe we win with 11. We were in a really good place. We had just scored early in the second half. They had just got a little bit deflated in my opinion. “It’s disappointing they scored from a set play.”
Yoganathan was booked in the first half for pushing Mason Burstow then given another yellow card for a foul on Josh Dacres-Cogley.
Hourihane said: “It’s a steep learning curve.
“For the second one, there is no need to leave a foot in.
“My biggest gripe is the first one. There is no need to get involved something near the corner flag.
“He’s 19 years old. He had an amazing experience with Oldham last year. This is a new challenge with one of his first ever red cards.
“When the dust settles, he’s someone I value hugely with a fantastic future.”
Hourihane said he did not think about taking Yoganathan off at the break.
“You obviously say to the lads to mind themselves in the second half, but it wasn’t like he was involved in another tackle or a foul that was close. There was nothing in it. It’s just a learning curve.”
McGoldrick’s goal saw him cut in from the left wing and finish well. He was then substituted after the red card.
Hourihane told the Chronicle: “That’s what he’s there to do. He has two in two now. He will be disappointed to be taken off but you just try to bring on fresh legs and manage that scenario. He does what he does, scoring with a well-timed run in behind. He gives the group so much on and off the pitch.”
Jono Bland played at right-back with left-footed pairing Josh Earl and Jack Shepherd at centre-back.
“I am really pleased with the back four. Blandy did that role for me last year and he’s really reliable and valuable. I have no issue with two left-footers, now Robbo (Marc Roberts) is injured. It’s really good solid partnership for the level. Jack is more dominate and Josh is a little bit better on the ball.”
Barnsley have played three games in a week, beating Burton and Fleetwood before this draw. He wants to build the relationship with the supporters after Barnsley won just six league games last season.
“All in all we’ve made big strides. Fans were terrific again today. I would have loved to get another win. But circumstances changed that. They can see a team that is fighting for the club and that’s what I wanted to create. It’s brilliant to have that bond with them.”
He added: “In the three league games we have had challenges thrown at us - two red cards, losing 2-0 then coming back. It's brilliant that we are coming through but I would like games to go easier us. We’re making it hard for ourselves.”
Hourihane said that defender Mael de Gevigney could potentially return for Tuesday’s game at Peterborough and that he wasn’t expecting transfers imminently.
