EFL pundit Jamie Mackie reckons Wanderers skipper Ricardo Santos was unlucky to be sent off in the goalless draw at Port Vale.

The centre-back was shown a second yellow card by referee Ross Joyce following a tangle with Ellis Harrison during the first half.

Ian Evatt was also shown a red card during the break, while Amadou Bakayoko had a goal ruled out despite close-up replays suggesting the ball had crossed the line.

Despite playing nearly an hour with 10 men in the blazing heat at Vale Park, the Whites held on to earn a point.

James Trafford made a string of saves, including a fine stop to tip Harrison’s stooping header around the post.

Mackie, a former Scottish international who had spells with Reading and QPR among others, wasn’t convinced Joyce made the right call to send Santos off.

Speaking as a pundit on the EFL highlights show, he said: “I think just from the nature of playing against 10 men, people assume you should win.

“But sometimes it galvanises the other team and they become resolute and hard to beat.

“I think Santos there, I am not so sure it’s a second yellow. I think it’s a touch harsh.

“But he did have [George] Johnston covering and maybe he should have just let the striker go on and not foul him.”

Wanderers have now taken five points from their opening three fixtures as they aim to build on last season’s ninth-place finish in League One.

Evatt’s men are back in action on Tuesday night when they welcome Morecambe to the UniBol (KO 7:45pm).

The Shrimps enter the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Fleetwood Town despite former Bolton midfielder Arthur Gnahoua’s first-half strike.

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