WATFORD central defender Dan Shittu says that George O'Callaghan deserved to be sent off in Saturday's FA Cup game at Vicarage Road.The 27-year-old Irishman saw red in his first start for Town for what looked little more than a 45th minute tap with his foot on to Shittu's back after they both hit the ground following a heading duel.

By Elvin King

WATFORD central defender Dan Shittu says that George O'Callaghan deserved to be sent off in Saturday's FA Cup game at Vicarage Road.

The 27-year-old Irishman saw red in his first start for Town for what looked little more than a 45th minute tap with his foot on to Shittu's back after they both hit the ground following a heading duel.

Shittu said: “I won the header, we toppled over and he lashed out and kicked me in the back.

“I did not make a meal of it and was surprised when the referee showed a red card.

“But it was justified.”

O'Callaghan denies Premiership referee Steve Bennett's claim that he had stamped on Shittu.

“We ended up on the floor and I just flicked out at him to get him off,” said O'Callaghan, who is set to miss three games for violent conduct.

“It was nothing, just a reaction. It happens time and time again.

“The referee said he was sending me off for stamping. How could I stamp him if I am on the floor?

“It was definitely nothing malicious and I feel it was really harsh.

“But I feel I have let the players, the gaffer and the fans down because the end result is that I was sent off.

“At the time we were right on top and we could have gone on to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and that would have been a massive boost to the club.”