Gareth Ainsworth came out in defence of Matt McClure after the striker was sent-off less than a minute after coming on as a substitute in Tuesday night’s victory against Tranmere.

As the match ticked into its 67th minute the 23-year-old replaced Sam Saunders and was immediately involved in an aerial tussle with Rovers’ Adam Dugdale.

The Tranmere defender hit the deck clutching his face and referee Mark Heywood pulled out a straight red card for McClure gesticulating that the forward had caught Dugdale with his elbow.

“I think he’s led with his arm, but he hasn’t meant to elbow the guy in any way,” said Ainsworth.

“I know Matty McClure very well and he would never try and hurt anyone, but I think he’s jumped up and if he has caught him in the mouth with his arm then it’s a red card.

“It’s unfortunate but it happens. There’s no way Matty would mean to do that so he’s got my backing.”

An automatic three-game suspension will now be slapped upon McClure, who became the first Chairboy to be sent-off this season.

The striker has struggled to get his campaign up and running, with a mixture of injury and inconsistent performances restricting him to 15 starts this term.

Captain Paul Hayes believes the Blues will rally round McClure after his dismissal, he said: “When he’s been in the side he’s done well and scored, and he’s come on, he’s eager to do well and straight away he’s challenged and been sent-off.

“He’s a good lad, he’s honest and he’s not that sort of guy. He’s obviously disappointed, he feels down about it and the first thing he said to lads when we came in was sorry which shows the sort character that he is.

“We have to pick him up, it’s good that we’ve kept the win for him, and it’s a shame that we’re going to miss him now.”

The Blues boss kept faith with the same starting XI that had drawn 2-2 with Stevenage on Saturday at Prenton Park, but they showed little sign of fatigue as they doggedly held on after being reduced to ten men.

They continued to create opportunities to build on their lead after the sending-off, with Matt Ingram only called into major action once in the final 20 minutes of the contest.

“Coming here when they’re fighting for their lives, like they were tonight, it’s an enormous win,” said Ainsworth.

“Ten men with 20 minutes to go, the lads who played Saturday kept the same formation, kept the same team and I’m really pleased with the result. The character of the result as well.

“The last six minutes felt like six weeks when that board went up, but the lads held out, stood firm and some of them are really becoming good, established, professional players and it’s brilliant to see.”