Leeds United beat Preston 4-1 at Deepdale on Monday afternoon.
Simon Grayson has told Preston North End’s official website that it was ‘stupid’ of Jermaine Beckford to pick up a red card on Boxing Day.
The 33-year-old striker had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes when he was sent off for appearing to kick out at Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley after the pair, and right-back Luke Ayling, contested a header.
The incident occurred midway through the second half, when Leeds were winning 3-1 at Deepdale, but Beckford’s dismissal did nothing to help Preston at all.
And although Grayson says that Ayling and Bartley could have just as easily picked up a second yellow card for their part, the ex-Whites manager admits that the forward “acted stupidly”.
“Bartley and Ayling came through the back of Jermaine and he acted stupidly. One of those two could have had a yellow card too,” he told the club’s official website.
It was a little disappointing given that the red card sort of soured what was a fine away victory for Garry Monk’s side.
Given they were 3-1 ahead, it seemed unlikely that Preston were going to get back into it regardless of Beckford’s dismissal, but Pablo Hernandez put the hosts to the sword with a fourth goal in the dying stages.
Leeds, who remain fifth in the Championship, face a tougher away day on Thursday as United visit Aston Villa, who won 2-1 against Burton Albion on Boxing Day.
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