SAINTS boss Russell Martin and Birmingham’s Mark Venus disagreed on whether Dion Sanderson should have been sent off on Saturday.

The Blues captain was given a straight red card for a foul on Will Smallbone midway through the second half, with Saints 3-2 ahead. 

Smallbone was left with a cut on his leg following the former Wolves and Cardiff City defender's challenge.

Many inside St Andrew's were left amazed by referee James Bell's decision, however, Sanderson had escaped a yellow card in the first half.

Ten-man Birmingham did pull a goal back through Juninho Bacuna before Joe Aribo grabbed a dramatic winner deep into nine minutes of injury time.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin admitted: "I haven't seen it (back), but the analyst said it was a red card.

"I was also told that their first goal was handball but I am not going to moan because a decision has gone our way.

"I actually wanted the referee to play advantage at the time because I felt as though we were in three-on-one. Dion has been sent off but I was told it was a red card."

Birmingham assistant manager Venus, who is in caretaker charge in Tony Mowbray's illness absence, insisted that Sanderson did not deserve to be given his marching orders. 

He said: "Everyone has an opinion in football, for me, it wasn't a red card. I don't think there was any intent or any malice in the challenge.

"He didn't try to hurt him. If you give a red card every time a player puts their studs above the ball then we would all watch the telly and give a lot of red cards.

"Personally I don't think there was any movement towards the player. He didn't drive into him. He didn't leave his leg in.

"He turned his body and lifted his foot up to try and make contact with the ball I'm pretty sure. We fall foul of an opinion that is in the minority of all the people in the crowd."