Swansea's Angel Rangel is shown the red card by referee Jamie Linington

Seven-man Swansea City's lack of discipline was blamed for Tuesday's controversial Carling Cup exit to Scunthorpe at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans had captain Garry Monk, striker Gorka Pintado and full-back Angel Rangel dismissed in their 2-1 extra time second-round defeat.

Stephen Dobbie was also forced off when Swansea had used up all of their subs.

"Swansea's lack of discipline has cost them dearly as they are an excellent side," said Iron boss Nigel Adkins.

Controversial referee James Linington almost had to abandon the farcical cup tie with two minutes remaining in extra time as Swans debutant Besian Idrizaj had to go off injured.

Swansea were already down to seven men and, under Football League rules, games must be abandoned if either team goes down to six men.

Swansea sent the clearly struggling Idrizaj back on to the pitch, despite him not being able to walk properly.

But Swans boss Paulo Sousa insisted under-fire referee Linington, who needed a police escort away from the Liberty Stadium, pressurised Swansea into putting the Austrian striker back on.

"I never wanted the match abandoned but Idrizaj should not have gone back on the field," said Sousa.

"But as we were then down to only six players the referee put pressure on us to get him back on."

The game was level at 1-1, as Swans striker Dobbie had levelled Niall Canavan's early opener, when Monk was sent off with five minutes remaining in normal time for an alleged clash with Scunthorpe substitute Michael O'Connor.

Dobbie was forced off with a suspected rib injury early in added on time but Sousa had used his allotted three replacements.

606: DEBATE The ref was deplorable but the red card decisions I regret to say were correct. friendlybigboytel

Isle of Wight official Linington then took centre stage when he awarded the visitors a 111th-minute penalty - which Gary Hooper converted.

That harsh decision angered Swans players and Pintado was soon off after earning a second booking for a rash challenge on Michael O'Connor.

Rangel then struck out at Scunthorpe's Matthew Sparrow to earn Swansea their third red card of the night.

Scunthorpe boss Adkins, however, insisted: "The referee had no choice but to send their players off as they seemed to lose their composure.

"The discipline of my players was very pleasing."

Sousa, though, launched a counter verbal volley at the visitors, who he claimed provoked Swansea's players.

"We talk about how it is important to try and protect and players, but when it doesn't happen and changes situations and when players are being provoked it is difficult.

"But of course they can't react like that, they have to keep focus and be alive to play our football.

"But it is not easy for the players who are doing the right thing, when from the beginning they are being provoked.

"We have our opportunity to write to the FA about the referee's performance but at this moment we do not know what offences the players have committed."

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