Alex Neil thinks Kieran Gibbs should have been sent off for clash with Darnell Fisher in Preston's defeat to West Brom

ALSO READ: Preston North End manager Alex Neil stands by his players following their Deepdale defeat against West Bromwich Albion

The pair had a coming together in the first half of the visitors’ 3-2 win at Deepdale, the former Arsenal full back catching PNE’s Fisher in the chest with a flailing arm.

It was an incident that angered the North End players, referee Tony Harrington pulling out a yellow card.

“I didn’t see it at first to be honest,” said Neil.

“I turned around to get the ball but I could tell by the fans’ reaction right away that something had happened.

“I’ve watched it back and it’s a clear red card. He bashes him with his forearm right across the chest.

“The fourth official told me that it depends where you are hurt which I find staggering.

“He’s saying if you get hit in the face it’s a red card and if you don’t get hit in the face it’s not deemed as violent conduct.

“I don’t know if the rules have changed but that’s not my interpretation of them.”

Neil also felt his side could have had a penalty when 2-1 down, Alan Browne going down under challenge from Kyle Bartley after breaking in behind.

“Alan’s the wrong side of the lad and is clean through and I thought the officials made the wrong decision on that count,” said the PNE boss.

“Even the free-kick for the third goal, you could tell by our players’ reaction that they thought it was really soft and it ends up in the back of the net and that ends up being the defining moment that wins them the game.”