Hutchings not happy

Hutchings: Unhappy with red card

Chris Hutchings was unhappy with Steve Bennett's decision to send off Kevin Kilbane in Wigan Athletic's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

Kilbane was dismissed at the start of the second half after picking up a second yellow card for a challenge on Alan Smith.

Referee Bennett decided the full-back had led with his arm, but Latics boss Hutchings had reason to quarrel with the decision.

"The sending-off within 30 seconds of the second half made a major impact on the game and what we had to do," said Hutchings.

"The referee said he led with the arm, but it was right in front of the dug-out and to me, it was a clash of heads.

Major setback

"It would be interesting if the referee would come and have a look at it and have his say.

"You come to places like this and you are always going to be under pressure. You have got to ride the storm, and we did that until half-time.

"Obviously, it was a major setback having Kevin sent off."

Michael Owen's late goal ended Wigan's resistance, but Hutchings was still able to look on the positive side, despite the defeat.

He said: "He always gets a chance, Michael, and he took it today, all credit to him.

"But we have got to take the positives out of it. If they had gone down to 10 men, I would have expected us to come away with the points."