Source: PA
Grayson: Dismissal was deserved
Leeds boss Simon Grayson insisted referee Mark Halsey was correct to dismiss Nottingham Forest defender Chris Cohen as his side swept to a 4-1 victory at Elland Road.
The game turned dramatically in Leeds' favour in the 35th minute when referee Mark Halsey controversially opted to show Cohen a straight red card for his lunging tackle on George McCartney in front of a furious home dug-out.
Leeds skipper Jonny Howson broke the deadlock in the 51st minute and Luciano Becchio headed home a second six minutes later to put the home side in control.
But Forest substitute Gareth McCleary curled home a brilliant effort to throw 10-man Forest a lifeline in the 65th minute but Max Gradel added two goals to give the scoreline a disjointed look.
Grayson said: "The referee got it clearly right. I know Chris Cohen and he's not a malicious player, but he left the ground two-footed, caught George McCartney and the ball. It was the right decision.
"If it had been one of my players that had done that I would have accepted the decision. It was a reckless, not malicious challenge and the decision was correct."
