“He was the one who sent [Liam] Walsh off the other week at Luton v Coventry, then it was changed because it shouldn’t have been a straight red,” Manning added.
That red card was overturned – although none of Langford’s other recent dismissals have been successfully appealed against.
Speaking about the incident in Thursday’s play-off game, Manning added: “It’s almost like [Langford] can’t wait to get [the card] out.
“First and foremost we didn’t defend well enough leading to us being exposed at the back and then Rob on the recovery, if he pulls him, fair enough, but he actually kicks the ball.
“The only reason it should be a red if there’s no attempt to play the ball. I don’t know how you can attempt to not play the ball and kick it; it’s madness.”
According to the FA, external, a penalty must be awarded when a player “commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity”.
The offending player is cautioned if the foul was an attempt to “play the ball or a challenge for the ball”; but if there is no possibility to play the ball the offending player must be sent off.
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