STEVE Cotterill says a moment of "unthinkable stupidity" from captain Wayne Thomas was the reason behind Burnley's 3-2 defeat to Southampton.

Thomas was shown his second red card of the season after seemingly elbowing midfielder Jhon Viafara while the Saints were defending a free-kick.

The defender's sending off came on 15 minutes, as the Clarets led 1-0 and were in control against George Burley's men at Turf Moor.

Cotterill admits the dismissal cost Burnley three points and he is now considering stripping Thomas of the captaincy after the centre-back's fourth red card in just over a year.

"It was a moment of unthinkable stupidity that cost us three points," said Cotterill.

"We were the better team and they knew it.

"They might have started passing the ball quite brightly, but we were the better team and we would have won that game with 11 men. That's cost us big time.

"He's guilty. Their lad (Viafara) might have made more of a meal of it holding his face, because when he's barged him, he hasn't barged him in the face.

"But at the end of the day I would not blame him going down because a moment of stupidity has cost us."

Cotterill revealed he would be fining his skipper.

and, asked if he would consider removing the captaincy from Thomas, added: "It's a thought, but at the moment it's only a thought. I will sleep on that one.

"Nine times out of 10, I stick up for my players, but I can't do that because then you will think I am an idiot."

Steve Jones gave Burnley the lead before Thomas saw red. Despite falling down to 10 men, Andy Gray restored the home side's lead before Rudi Skacel and two-goal Grzegorz Rasiak took three points back to the south cost.

Cotterill said: "Even when we went down to 10 men, we deserved a draw. "We showed great bravery, great character and great courage to go 2-1 up."