Motherwell manager Graham Alexander says Bevis Mugabi has held his hands up after a red card in the first minute of their Scottish Cup defeat to Hibs.
The Ugandan international went full-blooded into a challenge with Hibs' Josh Doig inside 60 second and referee Willie Collum didn't hesitate to show the red card.
Elias Melkersen scored twice before half-time and Joe Efford's second Motherwell goal couldn't prevent a 2-1 defeat for the Steelmen in quarter-final action.
It leaves Alexander's side with Premiership football to focus on for the rest of the season as they look to claim a top six spot and European football.
After a terrible start, Mugabi has been left gutted but his manager was pleased with how the team adapted for the remainder of play.
Alexander said: "The original plan was difficult after that but I thought the players adjusted well. We gave it our best shot, right up until the last second.
"He will be (distraught). He was back in the team today and he wanted to do well. They all do, as you saw after that. He's devastated and he has given me an apology. I think he's done the same with the players.
"It's a long way to go for us after that but I am proud of my players after that. We showed discipline after a difficult start for us."
Referee Collum's performance in the match is subject to scrutiny. He showed Motherwell's Jordan Roberts a yellow card for a similar tackle to Mugabi's after just six minutes.
Hibees goalkeeper Matt Macey escaped punishment after a penalty box incident with 'Well's Ricki Lamie and Hibs' Sylvester Jasper avoided a second booking following a yellow for simulation.
It's not something Alexander - who has already served a touchline ban this year - can afford to dwell on. His team play St Johnstone next weekend, looking for their first Premiership win of the year.
Alexander added: "I have no opinions on the decisions. I can't. That's all I can say as I don't want to taker the shine off what my players put into the game. They got a couple of goals but we stayed in the game all the way.
"Things could have gone our way. Their goalkeeper might have been dealt with differently for his challenge with Ricki Lamie and we could have had a possible penalty from that.
"People were getting warnings but we don't get those. We get dealt with straight away. I like being on the touchline and I want to stay there.
"It's a bit sad that everything will be about this (referee decisions) when it should be about two good teams against each other in a quarter-final."
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