Exeter City 5-1 Notts County: Harry Kewell sent off in first league game as boss

New Notts County manager Harry Kewell says he was shown a red card for saying "well done" to the referee during his side's 5-1 League Two hammering by Exeter City.

The former Liverpool and Leeds United forward, taking charge of his first league game since joining from Crawley Town, was sent off in the aftermath of the Grecians' fourth goal.

Kewell felt aggrieved that his side were not awarded a penalty for handball after Exeter had earlier won a spot-kick for the same offence.

"I just said 'well done' to the referee," he told BBC Radio Nottingham. "You can see ones in the far corner but not ones right in front of you.

"We have a cross and it's one of those - does it hit his hand or does it not? The referee says no, we're complaining and they go up the other end and score a goal. That's when I got my marching orders."

County, who had taken just one point from their first six games, fell behind when Pierce Sweeney headed in Lee Holmes' corner.

Jayden Stockley slotted in City's second soon after, but Enzio Boldewijn fired into the top corner for Notts just before half-time.

County could not build on the goal, though, as second-half efforts from Sweeney, Stockley and Aaron Martin earned Exeter a first win in three games.

"I'm not happy," added Kewell. "I'm frustrated because I knew what Exeter were going to bring. They changed their whole team up to suit how we play."