CRYSTAL Palace manager Dougie Freedman has described Sean Scannell’s stoppage time dismissal as the most disappointing aspect of Saturday’s defeat to Scunthorpe United.

Scannell has been in great form recently and changed the game after his second-half introduction, netting his second goal of the week to give the Eagles’ hope of a comeback.

But following a lunge on Scunthorpe’s Andy Hughes, the Republic of Ireland U21 international received a straight red card and a three-match ban, ruling him out of all but one of Palace’s remaining games.

“His ban will be three games, it’s a major blow,” admitted Freedman.

“I think that was the most disappointing thing to come out of the game on Saturday.

“Results we can handle and bounce back from, injuries are injuries but to lose a player for three games is difficult to take.”

The red card leaves the SE25 outfit with one of the worst disciplinary records in the league with seven red cards, 76 yellows and 11 penalties conceded this season.

But Freedman insists discipline isn’t a concern for what will be four high-pressure games in the next few weeks and instead puts the record down to the exuberance of youth.

He added: “I think if you’ve got individual cases, discipline wasn’t the key factor here.

“I feel as though the occasion perhaps got to certain younger players and it’s not a case of ill-discipline but an eagerness to do well for the club and win the game.”

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