Thomas was also sent off against Arsenal in the Carling Cup this season

West Brom's Simon Cox believes winger Jerome Thomas was unlucky to be sent off for a challenge on David McNamee during the 1-0 victory at Plymouth.

Thomas, 26, will serve a four-game ban after picking up his second red card of the season on Saturday.

"We don't feel it was a sending-off, he lost control of the ball and I think he saw red," goal-scorer Cox told BBC WM.

"It wasn't malicious, it was one of those things. He lunged in and he's probably got ball and man."

Thomas's tackle provoked an angry melee involving most of the players and members of both club's coaching staffs, but Cox can see the positive in that too.

"That shows good team spirit - if one of us would've gone in and the rest of us were trying to carry on the game you'd ask questions about team spirit," he insisted.

"But we're all in there, we're all fighting for the cause, and I think that speaks volumes for the players and the team spirit we've got at the club."

The former Swindon striker was starting a game for the first time since the home defeat against Nottingham Forest at the start of January.

He was playing a more withdrawn role as part of a five-man midfield, but scored the only goal.

"I didn't mind it - I scored," he said. "At the end of the day if I can keep doing these sort of things and keep doing a job for the team I'll be happy."

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