Emmanuel Fernandez tackle that led to red card labelled 'irresponsible' by Peterborough United boss

The Posh centre-half was sent off in the 58th minute of a 2-1 defeat at the Valley after lunging at home star Thierry Small.

Charlton were leading 1-0 at the time. Posh pulled level through Malik Mothersille’s penalty, but were ultimately beaten by Macaulay Gillesphey’s header in the final minute of normal time.

The red card was the second received by Fernandez this season. He was dismissed at Wycombe in October by Lee Swabey, who also took charge of the game at The Valley.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson went some way to defending his player, but admitted to frustration that he gave the referee a decision to make.

Ferguson said: “I’ve only seen Manny’s tackle once, I can understand why he’s given a red card for it. I’m not going to disagree with the decision. I don’t think he’s completely lost control, but it’s an irresponsible tackle as he’s on the half way line. He gives the referee a decision to make when really there shouldn’t be one.

"I don’t know why we’re running the ball up the line with a centre half in the first place.”

Fernandez will serve a four game ban, three for being sent off for serious foul play as well as a further match for it being his second sending off of the season. The suspension will not carry into to Posh’s EFL Trophy semi-final against Wrexham.