Rodgers was shown a red card in his second game for Northampton

Northampton manager Stuart Gray has admitted the dismissal of defender Paul Rodgers was the turning point in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Colchester.

The 19-year-old, on a month's loan from Arsenal, was sent off by referee Iain Williamson following a second yellow card just before half-time.

"I just felt it was very harsh," Gray told BBC Radio Northampton.

"Paul was very unlucky to get booked for his first challenge - there was no malice in it."

"I had no problem with his second yellow card, but the referee just seemed to dominate the game again.

"He was consistent, because he gave fouls for both sides. It was just his decision-making," he continued.

The Cobblers were leading 1-0 when Rodgers got his marching orders, and the home side then secured the points thanks to second-half goals from Mark Yeates and Scott Vernon.

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