NEWPORT County AFC captain Andy Sandell says he has learned to control his anger following his red card at Hartlepool United.

The skipper’s dismissal at Victoria Park on November 1 cost County two points as the League Two basement boys fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

And the manner of that second yellow card – for scrapping with Pools’ player Scott Harrison – earned him a rebuke from manager Justin Edinburgh.

Sandell returned to the side for last week’s 3-1 win at Bury and he will lead out the Exiles at Carlisle United this afternoon.

The 31-year-old says he’s learned his lesson and never wants to endure another long and miserable trip home having let down his teammates.

“The second booking at Hartlepool was very stupid on my behalf,” admitted Sandell ahead of today’s clash at Brunton Park.

“I’ve learned my lesson now and I won’t do it again.

“Carlisle is a long way and you don’t want to go all the way up there and do something stupid like I did at Hartlepool.

“I knew I’d done wrong that day and I just kept myself to myself on the coach home.

“I didn’t need anyone else to tell me because I knew myself,” he added.

“If I didn’t think I’d done anything wrong then maybe I would have needed someone to tell me but I knew.

“Just like I don’t need anyone to tell me if I’ve had a good game or a bad game, I know myself and I’m honest with myself.

“Sitting there in that dressing room and hearing those two goals go in was devastating.

“I knew myself I should have been out there playing but I saw the red mist for a few seconds and it affected the result.

“It’s difficult because if someone grabs me in a headlock and starts squeezing I’m not going to say ‘cheers mate’ am I?

“It’s a natural instinct to protect yourself, which I did, but I know I shouldn’t have reacted and I’ll learn from that.”

But, while he has vowed not to react to the League Two wind-up merchants, Sandell says he won’t change the way he approaches defending.

“I suppose over my career I’ve always picked up a fair few bookings but being a defender you do,” he said.

“Sometimes these days if you breathe on a striker and he falls over you get booked but that is just the way the game is played and refereed now.

“The crowd want to see a good tackle but the referees protect the strikers a bit more than they should.

“I am who I am and I can’t change the way I play. If people don’t like it then that’s not my problem.

“I’m 31 years old now and I won’t stop trying to tackle people and being physical.”