Stephen Bradley says Shamrock Rovers will take their medicine after being floored by a last gasp equaliser in Sligo.
The champions have decided not to trigger the league’s new appeals mechanism to contest Roberto Lopes’ red card at the Showgrounds.
The Hoops centre-back was dismissed after raising his hands to Sligo Rovers’ Kailin Barlow in the 67th minute of Saturday’s 1-1 draw - and he could be hit with a three-game ban.
Barlow appeared to bump chests with the experienced defender in a harmless coming together but Lopes moved his hand towards Barlow’s forehead to push him away.
Referee Damien MacGraith issued a red card, while Barlow got a yellow before the Bit O’Red scrambled a 95th minute equaliser through Lukas Browning to deny Rovers.
This season, clubs can appeal red cards whereas up to now they could only do so in the case of mistaken identity. Each appeal costs €500 and has to be submitted by lunchtime on the day after the game.
In the Lopes case, and because there are no league games until Friday, his hearing would have been scheduled for today.
Immediately after Saturday’s game, Rovers indicated they could appeal but then decided against it yesterday and will await the outcome of the disciplinary committee.
Bradley was actually more frustrated with another incident in the game when Sligo’s Swedish fullback Johan Brannefalk appeared to stop Liam Burt in his tracks.
On a break up field, Burt was making a charge forward off the ball but went down clutching his face.
Bradley said: “The annoyance is the right-back has clearly elbowed Liam in the face, running past him. We watched it back five or six times and it's clear.
“But none of (the officials) see it and they say it's just a coming together. It's really, really poor from the officials and the linesman on that side is 20 yards away.
“When you watch it on the video it's clear as day that he has elbowed him in the face. That's the annoyance, if you see it for one team you should see it for the other.”
Bradley was disappointed to see a lead slip so late in the game but had no gripes about a share of the spoils in their league opener.
He continued:: “We dug in to be fair and with a minute left, you expect to see that out and especially with the way we can defend.
“It's just unfortunate that the (Darragh Nugent) clearance at the end is everything that we don't do from set plays.
“It's to the edge of the box and it's a great finish. You expect to see it out but on the balance of things you expect to see it out.
“The game was really scrappy and I don't think it was a great game in terms of quality. There was no team dominating.
“When we went down to 10 they were obviously pushing on. Up to that there was no real quality in the game and I think a draw is a fair result in the end.”
Bradley added: “Sligo are a new team with a lot of new players and it was interesting to have a look at them but I still feel we could have been better in certain aspects.
“But you have to throw everything in - the pitch, the weather, first game, all of that, and you take a point and move on.”
Meanwhile, Lukas Browning knows the hard work is ahead of him but was happy being a hero just for one day.
The new Sligo Rovers recruit became an instant hit at the Showgrounds after scoring the sublime 95th minute equaliser in Saturday’s draw.
The Swedish midfielder - whose father is Irish - was actually born in Drogheda but moved to Stockholm when he was two and was raised there.
He moved to the Netherlands when he was 17 and spent two years with FC Twente before returning to Sweden and now Sligo.
And he was the toast of the town on Saturday, when his half volley from the edge of the box hit the net to salvage a point and deny the champions victory.
Browning said: “We wanted three points and we got one but it's a good start to the season and we can kick on from here.
“I had a chance earlier in the game that was blocked so I had a taste that I might score.
“For the goal, I controlled it well from a corner when it came to me, but I don't remember a lot more than that!
“It’s a new group and the first game of the season. There’s also tension and sometimes the atmosphere can get to you, but we handled it very well.”
Bit O’Red boss John Russell felt his side deserved the point after throwing the kitchen sink at Rovers late in the game.
Russell said: “The pleasing thing was we were patient and kept probing. It's important to get a result in the first game of the season and we have a lot of new players.
“I brought in 10 players this year and it's going to take time for everyone to gel.
“But starting at home with a full house, you could feel that energy behind the team and hopefully they stick with it and we have a good year.”
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