IRISH LEAGUE: Portadown manager Ronnie McFall voices concern over clampdown on tackling

The Ports’ poor disciplinary record continued on Saturday with Tim Mouncey’s dismissal against Carrick Rangers.

Mouncey was shown two yellow cards in the space of five minutes by Andrew Davey.

It was Portadown’s 22nd sending off in the last 67 Premiership games.

It also saw their red card count in the league hit double figures for the season.

“That’s the way football is going. Every foul shouldn’t be a yellow card,” McFall lamented.

“Players make genuine attempts to win the ball – they are not going in to hurt the other player.

“Every tackle isn’t malicious.”

Despite being down to 10 men Portadown could have claimed all three points.

They were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute when Aaron Traynor was adjudged to have fouled Marcio Soares inside the box.

But Mark McAllister’s spot-kick was well saved by Brian Neeson.

“I don’t think there was hardly a tackle in the match, so to have a player sent off was disappointing,” McFall added.

“I don’t think there was much in the two bookings. They were two innocuous challenges.

“But even with 10 men we dominated. We created chances and should have won. We dominated when we were down to 10 men but didn’t take our chances.”