Mvoto apology for getting sent off

JEAN-YVES MVOTO: “I was provoked and didn’t act smartly.”

JEAN-YVES Mvoto has issued a public apology for losing his cool and picking up a red card at Crawley.

Athletic were put in a difficult position after the giant centre back shoved two opponents under the nose of referee Gavin Ward on Saturday.

Mvoto, suspended for three first-team games, starting with the Kidderminster FA Cup-tie this weekend, admitted relief the team was able to dig itself out of the problems his sending-off had caused.

Jose Baxter's opening goal even turned thoughts towards an unlikely three-point haul, before Kyle McFadzean equalised.

"I was provoked and didn't act smartly," said Mvoto, whose place has gone to James Tarkowski.

"It was frustrating. I just want to do well for the team as we want to do something this year.

"The manager (Paul Dickov) was very annoyed with me. I understand that. To go to a team like Crawley who are well-positioned in the table, you need all of your players to be 'at it' and I wasn't.

"I will do everything I can to react better next time.”

Mvoto has been affected by a slight injury niggle this week and is now working hard to work his way back into a team he believes can go places.

"We have good players and a good group. We just have to keep going, stick together and do our best to get results. You can't play well in every game. The most important thing is winning games, not playing well."