Phil Parkinson: 'I apologised to players for sending-off'

Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson has revealed that he apologised to his players after being sent to the stands in their 4-0 FA Cup triumph over Millwall.

Parkinson reacted angrily when Alan Dunne pushed Bradford's James Hanson into the advertising boards, with players and staff from both sides clashing before the officials finally decided to send the Bradford manager and his assistant Steve Parkin off for their part in the incident.

"The lad Dunne has pushed Hanson into the advertising boards and I thought it was a dangerous challenge because there's a wall just behind there," Parkinson told reporters.

"The ref said it was for leaving the technical area. I was trying to make sure there was no brawl but it certainly wasn't to instigate anything. I know that you can't leave the technical area, but I thought being sent to the stands was a little bit harsh.

"I said to the lads at half time I've got to apologise for that because I ask the boys to keep their cool and stay on the pitch and in the heat of the moment I've reacted to a dangerous challenge."

Bradford will meet Chelsea in the fourth round later this month.