news-engine

'Kills the game' - Michael Skubala assesses where it went wrong for Bristol City in Millwall loss A Josh Coburn brace saw Millwall get the better of Bristol City in the first Championship game of the season Michael Skubala felt Adam Randell's second yellow card and subsequent sending-off "changed the game" in Bristol City's defeat to Millwall, but the Reds boss didn't think the red card excused the two goals the Reds conceded. The Robins started their Championship campaign on a disappointing note as they were beaten 2-0 by Alex Neil's side at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon. In a, at times, frantic contest, a Josh Coburn brace proved the difference between the two teams. Former Bristol Rovers loanee Coburn gave the Lions the lead just four minutes before the break when he turned beyond Sam Tickle after the City stopper had pushed a low cross from the right flank into the path of a Millwall forward. Within five minutes of the start of the second half, the 23-year-old had doubled the visitors' advantage when he climbed above Rob Dickie in the Reds' penalty area to head home in front of the travelling fans. Both goals came after Randell was shown a second yellow card by referee Lewis Smith for what was adjudged to be a pull on Coburn's shirt midway inside the Millwall half. While Skubala hadn't seen the incident again, his midfielder wasn't convinced by the decision. "I thought it changed the game," the City boss said when asked about the sending off. "I thought it was everything we thought it would be with a top side in Millwall coming to Ashton Gate. "It was a bit edgy to start, and then we started to get some moments in transitional moments. Dom [Ballard] and Tolly [Lorent Tolaj] had started to cause their backline some real problems; Sam Greenwood got into some good pockets, and Yu was looking quite lively out on the right. Then, the second yellow kills the game, for me. "The disappointing thing for me was that I thought there was another foul on Tolly, moments later, when it looked like he was in on goal, and there was absolutely nothing. I've not seen anything back, but a really tough afternoon. "It's not a great thing to do, because then it becomes a really difficult afternoon," Skubala continued on the red card. "The ref said he pulled his shirt; again, I've not seen it back. I'll have to look. "I've not seen it back, so I can't say, but Adam thought it was a bit soft," he concluded. "He didn't think it was a big incident and really a yellow card because he's high and it's not like he's in on goal, or anything like that. "I can't really comment because I've not seen it. I need to see it in a minute." In the immediate aftermath of Randell's sending off, Skubala opted not to make a change heading into the interval. Instead, Sam Greenwood dropped into midfield alongside Jason Knight, leaving two strikers and a winger on the field. At the break, Yu Hirakawa made way for Joe Williams, a change made in order to add an extra presence in the middle of the park. While the introduction of the 29-year-old calmed things down slightly, Skubala felt more needed to be done - even whilst a player down - to stop Millwall pulling ahead. "I think the two goals are not excused by the sending off, if I'm honest," the Reds manager explained. "I don't think the sending off affects the two goals. "I think if we come out [after half-time] and stay in the game a little longer, rather than going 2-0 down - because when that's the situation, you're dead and buried against a team with 11 men. "If it's 1-0 for longer, I think we have a chance against any team to go and get a moment and score." Saturday's defeat means that Skubala has lost his first two competitive matches as Robins manager, after last week's Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Walsall. City will have their next chance to secure the first points of the new season, and the first under their new boss, away at Birmingham City next weekend.