STOKE boss Mark Hughes insisted Peter Crouch was unlucky to pick up the first of his two yellow cards in the Potters’ League Cup exit to Saints.

The former St Mary’s striker was sent off by referee Lee Mason for two cautions not long after coming on as a second half sub.

Within seconds of Crouch seeing red in the 88th minute, Graziano Pelle fired Saints into the last eight for the first time since 1996/97.

Crouch’s first yellow was awarded for a clash with Jose Fonte and the second a late challenge on Steven Davis.

“The first yellow card was a little bit harsh on Peter," said Hughes.

“He made a genuine attempt to just try to get across the lad. Whether or not the referee thought he raised his arm, I don't know.

“The second one, he's miscontrolled it and in trying to retrieve the ball he's high. When you're on a yellow card, there's always a risk you're going to get another one if you go in with a challenge like that.

“We've lost him, and that took a bit of the wind out of our sails, and then we haven't dealt with a ball into our box.”

Hughes, who had seen his side come from 0-2 down at half time to level, added: “We put in a huge effort in the second half.

“We needed to because in the first half we didn't really get anywhere near the intensity that I was hoping for in terms of making it a real cup tie.

“The difference with the second half was marked. It was a real effort and I thought the momentum was with us.

“At 2-2 I felt we were in the ascendancy and we could go on and possibly win it from a situation where at 2-0 down you think it's going to be very hard against a very good Southampton team.”