WING wizard Glen Little today apologised after getting sent off during Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Cardiff at Ninian Park.

Little was red-carded by referee Mike Halsey in the 73rd minute after aiming a kick at City's Richard Carpenter.

Now the 24-year-old is likely to face a three match ban which could mean he misses the vital promotion clashes against Millwall and Gillingham during the run-in.

But although the Clarets star bitterly regrets his actions, he believes the referee acted too hastily and should have dished out a stern warning.

"Obviously, I regret what happened and the lads have told me I've got to learn from that," said Little.

"It's my first sending off for Burnley and the first is always the worst.

"The lad caught me with his elbow and I reacted but I didn't think there was a lot in it.

"It was just a case of handbags, really, and I thought the ref should maybe have got us together and given us a talking to and then allowed us to get on with the game.

"So I'm disappointed because I thought it was a bit harsh, especially as the ref had let a few tackles in the game go and he was perhaps a bit too lenient at times.

"But the gaffer has said to me I've got to learn from that and I will."

Clarets boss Stan Ternent had no complaints at the decision and revealed he will be disciplining the player internally. "The guy swung his arm and caught Glen and he reacted by kicking him," said Ternent.

"I've told Glen I can't condone that because retaliation has no part to play in football and it could have cost us dearly.

"But it will remain in house and, as long as he learns from it, then I will be happy.

"Until Glen went off we had complete control of the match and that's why it's important he tries to keep his cool.

"But he's still only young in footballing terms and that's part and parcel of his learning curve."

However, Little's misdemeanour aside, Ternent was delighted with the character shown by his side.

Goals from Steve Davis and Andy Payton put the Clarets in the driving seat before an Ian Cox own goal gave Cardiff hope.

But Burnley defended magnificently after Little's dismissal to keep their promotion bid firmly on track.

"It was a well fought victory, particularly towards the end after Glen was sent off," said Ternent.

"We showed a lot of resilience and I thought we were by far the better side for most of the game.

"They threw caution to the wind at the end when they got a few long throws and crosses into the box.

"But we defended well. "We've had 20 clean sheets this season and we don't normally give a lot of goals away.

"That's because we have good players who are well organised.

"And they have a will and desire to do well and that shone through on Saturday."

However, an injury to John Mullin slightly marred the result.

The rangy midfielder limped off after 20 minutes and now faces a race to be fit for the weekend.

"John's got an abductor strain.

"The pitch was quite heavy after a down pour and he will get treatment through the week and we will see where he's up to."

Andy Cooke is also currently having treatment after a calf strain kept him out of Saturday's starting line up although Ternent confirmed the problem was nothing serious.

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