Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce refused to blame Nedum Onuoha's controversial sending off for his side's Carling Cup exit at Doncaster. Onuoha's 118th-minute red card for a foul was rescinded by referee Graham Salisbury after the end of the game.
"From what I'm told it looked a harsh call but I am not making any excuses. Doncaster deserved to take the tie into extra-time," he said.
"It is disappointing as I really wanted us to do well in this competition."
Onuoha was penalised after colliding with Doncaster goalkeeper Andy Warrington - a challenge which resulted in Warrington being stretchered off.
Replays suggested the City player had made a genuine challenge for the ball and Salisbury rescinded the red card within half an hour of the final whistle.
"Nedum is quite distraught," said former England captain Pearce.
"He is not the type of player who would deliberately go out to hurt anyone. He also feels he has let the side down and is quite flummoxed by it all."
Doncaster boss Dave Penney said he had full confidence in substitute keeper Jan Budtz.
Budtz replaced Warrington to produce heroics in the penalty shoot-out after the match finished 1-1 after extra time.
The Dane saved two penalties as Rovers ran out 3-0 shoot-out winners.
"Once it went to penalties I really felt confident," said Penney.
"Jan saved a lot of them in training and I fancied he would do it again.
"It is a fantastic night for us. Manchester City showed us a lot of respect by playing their strongest side. They wanted to win this competition.
"We know we have no chance of doing that but we will enjoy the moment anyway."
MMIX
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