Russell Martin says Joe Allen's late red card during a mass brawl won't overshadow his performance as Swansea City secured a 4-2 win over Preston North End in a pulsating Championship contest.
Allen netted his first goal for the club in 11 years in what was a scintillating first-half performance for the Swans who led 3-0 at half-time - with Joel Piroe and Harry Darling also getting on the score sheet.
However, Preston set-up a nervy finish in the second-half as Tom Cannon and Troy Parrott fired beyond Andy Fisher before a touchline brawl erupted between players and coaches from both sides minutes before Piroe netted in injury-time to seal victory for the hosts.
READ MORE: Swansea City player ratings v Preston as Piroe immense again and Allen sublime despite red card
Midfielder Allen and Preston boss Ryan Lowe - who refused to speak to the media after the fixture - were both sent off by referee Oliver Langford after the dugout mayhem, with Allen now likely to be suspended for his side's final three games of the season. And Martin says Lowe's action triggered the touchline carnage during what was a feisty affair.
"It's an amazing finish. That won't overshadow his performance," Martin said of Allen's goal.
"He was outstanding, he's not ready to play 90 minutes yet. This is only his second game back. The plan was 60 tonight and 60 at Norwich, so that's changed a bit. But I'm so pleased with him.
"After a full pre-season he's going to be a different animal for us. You saw tonight what he's about. He had so much composure and that finish is such a high quality finish, I'm so pleased he's scored. I'm really disappointed with how the night ends because all he was doing was trying to get the attention of the fourth official.
"The game probably should have been stopped, Jay Fulton takes a head injury. It can be avoided. Ryan pushes Joe and all chaos ensues. The game should be stopped, but it isn't, Ryan pushes Joe and after that it's carnage. If that doesn't happen I don't think any of it happens.
"I've watched it back, I don't think it's pretty for anyone. Our job as a group of staff is to get players away from it. The situation could have been avoided, twice probably. It is what it is.
"A couple of things I really didn't like but it is what it is. When people are so passionate and care about what they're doing, sometimes it boils over. I don't judge anyone for that, but it is a disappointing thing to happen.
"I totally understand Joe's reaction to it, you don't expect that from a manager. He didn't provoke it, but his reaction probably merits that (red card). He's apologised, but he doesn't need to. He's just showing care for his team-mate. He reacts because he's a winner."
Victory means the Swans have collected 16 of the last 18 points on offer - a run which sees Martin's troops sit just five points adrift of the play-off places ahead of their matches against Norwich City, Hull City and West Brom.
And while Swansea made hard work of the victory after a scrappier second-half, Martin feels his side were well worth the three points.
"We did more than get over the line. We probably didn’t have enough of the ball in their half or enough control in their half," explained the head coach.
“Some of the build-up was brilliant but they came with such an aggressive press that one we bypassed that it was just game on to go and try to score.
“We scored two really good goals and a set-piece. Conceding so soon after half-time was so frustrating, especially from a set-piece. It just changed how the game looked really.
"Preston threw caution to the wind and committed so many bodies forward. You can see why they have done so well this season. They're a powerful team, really good at what they do.
"We made it harder for ourselves with a lack of control and maybe trying to kill it too early after that goal. Obviously the next goal is so important and they get it. It’s a poor goal for us to concede.
“But the fight the lads are showing, some of the courage, even at 3-2, to play from the back was immense. We got the fourth goal we deserved, a brilliant finish from Joel, and that was a nice way to finish it.”
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