ACCRINGTON Stanley duo Joe Jacobson and Sean McConville have apologised to their team-mates after both were sent off in the Reds’ decisive play-off semi final second leg on Friday.

Stanley’s hopes of promotion to League One were thwarted with a 1-0 loss to Stevenage – their first home defeat for four months - with the visitors scoring late on after John Coleman’s side had been reduced to nine men with 20 minutes left.

The Reds were already struggling to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit but Jacobson’s dismissal for a late tackle, followed by McConville’s red card for violent conduct in the aftermath, signalled the end of any remaining chance of reaching Old Trafford.

Both will now start next season with three-match suspensions and left back Jacobson was devastated that his mistimed challenge had led to both red cards.

“It was a bit of a blur really, the guy was running out with the ball and I thought I could get there,” he said.

“It was just one of those things where I didn’t think it was a red card to be honest.

“I’ve never been sent off before in my life and I just feel gutted for the boys and the fans. I’m devastated that I let everyone down.

“That probably led to Sean’s sending off as well and cost us in getting back into the game.

“From then on it was a massive struggle for us and I don’t feel too good at the moment.

“We didn’t want to lose now, it’s probably the worst time you could ever lose, in a play-off semi final.

“You don’t get to have a day out, you don’t get promoted. It’s hard.”

Stanley had grown increasingly frustr-ated by Stevenage’s spoiling tactics – with an incredible seven minutes added on at the end of the first half because of a number of injuries to visiting players – and that frustration boiled over with McConville’s red.

“Every time someone touched them they were going down and there were seven minutes added on but none of their players were booked for time wasting, which is unheard of,” said the 22-year-old.

“Joe’s tackle was no different from one I was on the end of in the first half but the ref showed him the red.

“I ran over to plead with the ref and one of their players stood down the back of my Achilles.

“I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I put my hand in his face and I shouldn’t have done it.

“ I feel sorry for the lads because we left them on there with nine men and there was nothing they could have done.”