BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has confirmed the club will appeal against captain Grant Hanley’s controversial sending off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at struggling Millwall.

Hanley was shown a red card for the second time this season after he was harshly adjudged to have fouled Steve Morison in the box when the game was goalless.

The Lions converted the resulting spot-kick and slotted in another, two minutes from the end of normal time, after Michael Keane had restored parity.

But 10-man Rovers refused to give up and, for the second match running, they scored an injury-time equaliser courtesy of substitute Josh King.

“My initial reaction was probably the same as everybody else in the ground – that I thought the referee was going to give a free kick to us as the lad had his arms around Grant’s neck,” said Bowyer, whose side have now conceded 10 penalties this season, a number of which have been highly debatable.

“It’s near enough GBH on Grant and then to send him off compounds the decision further as Matt Kilgallon was round to clear the ball.

“After that you’re talking nothing but positives because of the character and spirit we shown.

“We did it on Tuesday against Watford so to do it again was a tremendous effort.

“We’re going to appeal (the sending off) because one, it’s not a foul, and two, we felt Matt Kilgallon was covering around.”

Bowyer also paid tribute to the 392 travelling Rovers supporters.

He said: “It was a great effort from them, travelling to and back from Watford in midweek, and then coming down in their numbers again.

“We’re thankful for them and we’re glad we’ve given them something to cheer.”