READING FC assistant manager Andries Ulderink has confirmed he spoke to referee Lee Probert over Tyler Blackett's controversial red card in last night's EFL Cup third round win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Blackett was show a straight red following a challenge on Sebastien Pocognoli in the 42nd minute.

The ex-Manchester United defender appeared to slip as he made the tackle and crashed into the on-loan West Brom full-back.

Probert deemed it was a sending-off offence, though it is believed Royals may appeal after studying video evidence.

Ulderink said: "My first reaction was that Tyler was playing the ball with the tackle, but the referee explained his decision to me at half-time and told me that, after he touched the ball, he went on with his leg into the leg of the opponent.

"It's difficult for me to say much more, I didn't see him touch the player so I can't say whether it was a red card or not.

“I thought he maybe slipped a little bit too and he definitely played the ball. But I haven't spoken to Tyler about it yet.”

It was the second game in succession Royals had been reduced to 10 men in the first half before going onto win 2-1 following Garath McCleary's red card at Barnsley on Saturday.

Stephen Quinn blasted Jaap Stam's men into the lead 10 minutes before Blackett was given his marching orders.

As he did on Saturday, John Swift then added a brilliant second with another cracking strike in the 54th minute.

And while Stam's side – which included a makeshift central defensive partnership of Chris Gunter and Danzell Gravenberch for most of the second half – came under later pressure, the held on for the victory despite Tomer Hemed's 84th minute reply.

"At the start of the second half, we created a great goal and at 2-0 that gave the team a lot of confidence,” suggested Ulderink.

"We had a couple of players with some small issues - Liam Moore had a dead leg to had to come off, Swifty is still not 100% - so we had to make a couple of changes because of the team's fitness.

"But we worked very hard. And it was hard work, defending more than playing the football we like to play.

“We probably got a little bit lucky in three or four moments near the end when they could have made it 2-2, but overall the players deserved the win."

The victory sent Royals into the last 16 of the competition, with the fourth-round draw due to take place around 10pm tonight.