St Patrick's Athletic manager Tim Clancy described his team’s defending as "mind-boggling" and "baffling" in the wake of a 2-1 defeat to Sligo Rovers in The Showgrounds.
The Saints left Sligo without a point despite having an extra man for 70 minutes when John Mahon was dismissed.
The home side showed determination to battle to victory, taking the lead through Reece Hutchinson after the red card.
Chris Forrester equalised for the Saints in the second half, making a big impact from the bench, and it was expected the visitors would be pushing to go to win the game.
However Pat’s switched off from a Sligo free-kick and RB Leipzig loanee Fabrice Hartmann took advantage to win it for Sligo.
It compounded a bad few days for Clancy having watched his team ship five goals against Dundalk last Friday.
Clancy told LOI TV: "It's not good enough. It's criminal the goals you're conceding. First half against 11 we were probably more comfortable than against 10. But 70 minutes down to 10 men and losing the game is not good enough."
Asked whether he felt the red card inspired rather than hindered Sligo, the Saints boss pointed to his side’s failure to take chances as Tommy Lonergan shot wide at an empty net and hit out at how they dealt with the opposition’s attacks.
"It's an advantage for a team when the opposition goes down to 10 men. It's a big moment in the game. We miss an opportunity - an open goal - before half-time which would have changed the game.
"We got back in it with a brilliant solo effort from Chris Forrester. Then the defending for their second goal was.....mind-boggling. We were getting momentum in the game to go on and get the winner.
"To concede a second goal the way we did, it was a great finish by the kid but the time and space he got from a free-kick was baffling."
Meanwhile John Russell was thrilled with a second win of the season for the Bit O' Red in front of 2,751 spectators in Sligo.
"It's a massive three points. It was backs against the wall towards the end of that second half but in terms of our performance I thought we were outstanding.
"Before we went down to 10 men I felt we were in the ascendancy. They were two quality goals, anyone here tonight witnessed the quality of the play. The energy and fitness levels of the players and the togetherness made it an outstanding performance
📹 | Reece Hutchinson completes the one-two to give 10-man Sligo Rovers the lead over St. Pat's. #LOI | #SLIPAT pic.twitter.com/bAaH8p0bRZ
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 6, 2023
"I think it was a red card. He was last man back. The group stuck together, players dug in deep. I think over 90 minutes even with 10 men for 70 of them we deserved to win the game."
Hartmann was the Sligo hero, with the German winger claiming player of the match in an eye-catching display.
He moved to the club on a year-long loan last summer but a registration issue delayed his debut until this season.
Russell said: "We know the quality Fabrice has. He came to the club last year and he couldn't play for a period.
"We're delighted he is in Sligo Rovers colours now and he lit up The Showgrounds tonight."
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