Dave Jones was under no illusions as to what he felt cost his side victory in the South Wales derby
The Cardiff City manager watched with disbelief as his captain was sent off for the second time at the Liberty Stadium for a pointless kicking away of the ball.
The second yellow added to the one he earned in the first half for a late challenge on Garry Monk and yet again he had to endure the long walk back to the Liberty Stadium dressing room.
And that was what Jones felt was the key turning point with the red card coming just three minutes after Ross McCormack had given the visitors the lead from the penalty spot.
“A lack of discipline from Stephen has probably cost me three points,” moaned Jones after the game.
“When we took the lead we were playing the better football and in charge of the game.
“It looked like Swansea would have to send more players forward and we might have then picked them off.
“It wasn’t about the occasion, it was more frustration, but you can’t kick the ball away.
“It’s a lack of discipline on Stephen’s part. He doesn’t normally do it and probably thought he was a little bit hard done by over a few free-kicks that were not given.
“The frustration boiled over in the end. That’s what the atmosphere can do to you.
“We were in control at that point and that’s the disappointing thing. He cost us the win and he’s got to accept it.
“He will be more disappointed than everyone else.
“He knows he let us down – but it happens. Stephen is not the first person to do it and he won’t be the last.
“You just hope he learns from it.
“It was a point gained in the end because we had to shut up shop. It was always going to be difficult because were down to 10 men and that advantage of an extra man is the last thing you want to give a good passing team like Swansea.
“If we had to bore people with 10 men, then that’s what we had to do.
“You could see it was a yard offside." he added in reference to the build up to the Swans first goal, "But I think the referee has given some cards that were unwarranted and then missed a few that were.
“What he tried to do was dish out yellow cards to keep the atmosphere and tempo down, but he only succeeded in inflaming it because he frustrated two sets of players with some strange decisions.”