BURNLEY face another defensive nightmare against Wolves tomorrow night after Wayne Thomas's red card at Ipswich earned him an instant two-match ban.

The Clarets have already been plagued by problems at centre back this season through a catalogue of injuries and suspensions.

And boss Steve Cotterill will have to reshuffle his pack again following Thomas's red card for protesting against a controversial late penalty at Portman Road.

Thomas denied dissent, which earned him a second yellow card from rookie referee Darren Deadman and a two-match ban for a second sending off of the season, following his red card against Derby last August.

And Cotterill insisted: "Wayne swore he never said anything and from where I am, what can you do?

"We have a small enough squad and I have to stick up to my lads. He was clearly protesting at the second yellow card but it's for dissent and unfortunately it's his word against the referee."

Rubbing salt into the wounds, Town scored the winner from the resulting penalty after former Burnley striker Alan Lee fell heavily under Michael Duff's well-timed challenge.

And all the major players, including both managers, Burnley defenders and Lee himself, all admitted the decision was flawed.

Cotterill added: "From where I was sat it was not a penalty. Michael said he didn't touch him and he also said that Lee said it was not a foul as they came off the pitch."

Lee later denied that allegation, insisting: "I never said to anyone that it was not a penalty. I said their player got a bit of the ball, but I never said it was not a penalty."

Former Town defender John McGreal was also close to hand when the award completed Town's second half fightback.

Michael Ricketts had scored his second goal in as many games to give the Clarets a half time lead, but Lee equalised before Matt Richards scored from the spot with seven minutes remaining.

McGreal said: ""A draw was always a possibility but the penalty was very debatable and we were very disappointed about it."