Dermot Gallagher shares if Preston star Ben Whiteman should have been sent off against Leeds United

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Daniel Farke was left perplexed on Saturday afternoon when referee John Busby decided against showing Preston North End star Ben Whiteman a second yellow card, against Leeds United.

Brenden Aaronson had got Whiteman into the book. Aaronson showed what he is good at, turning Whiteman on the half-turn to perfection and being pulled back by the Preston captain on 32 minutes.

Five minutes later, and Whiteman jumped into a tackle on Jayden Bogle on the edge of the area. A bit of the ball but his follow through was studs up and reckless, but Busby chose not to show even a yellow.

Tony Dorigo was left stunned at Busby’s decision, while Paul Heckingbottom took Whiteman off at half-time, hinting he knew Whiteman was lucky. Now, Dermot Gallagher has had his say on the incident.

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Dermot Gallagher shares verdict on Ben Whiteman incident

It was a strange decision and while Leeds got an equaliser in injury time, Leeds might have picked up all three points had Busby decided to show him a yellow card, or even a straight red for the lunge on Bogle.

Dermot Gallagher was speaking on Ref Watch on Sky Sports on Monday and he says that he should have been sent off, whether that is a second yellow or a red. Gallagher actually believes it was a red card.

“The only certainty here is that one way or another, the player has got to leave the field. That’s a red card in itself. The ref felt he didn’t catch him, but I think he does. I think he misreads it. He’s got to be sent off.”

Not the first time an opposing player should have been sent off

Leeds’ form away from home is not good. Just three wins in 10 games away from Elland Road this season, drawing five and losing two. Josuha Guilavogui has urged Leeds to improve away if they are to go up.

But Leeds have been unfortunate. Junior Firpo was on the receiving end of a brutal tackle from Blackburn star Tyrhys Dolan, a game which saw John Eustace secure a third win in three games against Daniel Farke.

Gallagher also said Dolan should have been shown a red card for the tackle. Two red cards that went unpunished then and has hampered Leeds in the pursuit of promotion, now three points behind first.