KARL Robinson had sympathy for Marcus Browne after the Oxford United winger was sent off for the first time in his career.

The 21-year-old, on loan from West Ham United, tweeted his apologies last night after receiving a straight red card just before half-time in the 3-1 win at Walsall.

It came from a challenge on Zeli Ismail just in front of the Saddlers bench, who reacted angrily.

Robinson admitted the type of action - where Browne's leg came over the ball - was risky, but argued it had come after the youngster had been repeatedly fouled without further action.

The head coach said: "It does (ask for trouble), 100 per cent. But he’s getting kicked from pillar to post, he doesn’t go to ground and he gets nothing.

"There were five fouls on one player in 20 minutes.

"At what stage does the referee not actually stop this from happening? You’re going to have a retaliation.

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"I’d question anybody to get punched three or four times and keep their hands in their pockets. That’s what it’s like, at some stage your human instinct is to react.

"The first thing he did when he came off was apologise for letting the team down.

"Even after the game he’s still a bit down because he’s a young man learning his trade."

Browne put out his own apology on Twitter last night.

There was a second red card for the U's in the final seconds, which came in bizarre fashion.

Ahmed Kashi had been substituted late on having been booked.

But after Jerome Sinclair's late goal to seal the victory, the midfielder leapt off the bench and ran across the pitch to join in the celebrations.

Jordan Graham, an unused substitute, did likewise and both were booked for their actions - but for Kashi it meant a second yellow and a one-game ban.

"What a clown," Robinson said.

"We brought him off so he didn’t get booked and he’s run on the pitch swinging his top around him and he now gets suspended for the next game.

"Would I take that booking? 100 per cent.

"I want people who wear our shirt with pride, who care for the club just as much as the people who pay to watch us on a weekly basis. "