Wigan manager Roberto Martinez hit out at Craig Gardner for a "reckless challenge" after the Birmingham player was sent off in Saturday's 0-0 draw.

Gardner was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Franco Di Santo and Martinez revealed the striker may have injured ligaments in his ankle.

"He has a couple of nasty cuts in his leg - you can see the challenge was really high," said Martinez.

He insisted Gardner used "excessive force", adding "it was a red card".

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said had no complaints about the sending-off.

"At the time I just thought it was two players together and you couldn't avoid a collision but I've seen it on video and we won't be appealing," he said.

606: DEBATE Great result considering Birmingham's fantastic home record, well done boys, clean sheet too!! wiganrulefc

"I don't think it was a massively dirty tackle but when your studs are showing, it's come more and more into the English game.

"You might have got away with it a year ago but, when there are studs colliding with a player's leg, then the refs are clamping down on that in this country.

"It's been in international football for a long time but as long as everyone is consistent I don't mind. The ref was in a good position and, under the rules, he's made the right decision."

Martinez also praised Charles N'Zogbia for the way he handled abuse from the Birmingham crowd after the collapse of his proposed move to St Andrew's in the summer.

The Wigan boss said: "I thought he coped with it very well. I was never in doubt because he loves that sort of challenge.

"I think in football when you get the opposition crowd targeting you it's a football compliment because they see you as a threat, as someone who can win the game and I felt he took it in that manner.

"He was a threat, worked really hard and is slowly getting back to his best."

Birmingham are now unbeaten in 18 top-flight home games, equalling their best ever run.

McLeish said: "I am proud of the record. There was a lot of pressure on us today due to the media coverage of the record.

"I am sure there were a lot of people predicting we would lose the record just because of all the hype but it was something we couldn't avoid and I told the players that.

"We put it aside and did everything in our powers to get the three points. We just couldn't get the ball into the net."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version