Leroy Lita insists he didn't cheat to earn the penalty which gave City a much-needed lifeline on Saturday. Derby keeper Roy Carroll was shown a straight red for a waist high challenge which floored Lita just six yards from goal, but was furious with referee Darren Deadman's verdict, made after he consulted one of his assistants.

Leroy Lita insists he didn't cheat to earn the penalty which gave City a much-needed lifeline on Saturday.

Derby keeper Roy Carroll was shown a straight red for a waist high challenge which floored Lita just six yards from goal, but was furious with referee Darren Deadman's verdict, made after he consulted one of his assistants.

Carroll refused to comment after the game, but Lita was adamant it was a foul.

“He tried to say he didn't touch me but it was quite clear,” he said. “I just didn't know what he had used to stop me, whether it was a foot or a hand. I just felt the pain.”

Sammy Clingan stepped up to equalise - with Lita admitting it wasn't a job he fancied.

“No, not with my record,” he said. “I was quite happy to leave it to Sammy and he took it really well.

“What is my record? It doesn't matter - don't ask.”

The penalty gave City hope, but in vain, as David Marshall's error handed the visitors victory.

“We worked our way back into the game and played some good stuff but we slowed the game down too much,” said Lita. “They got more confident and nicked a goal at the end.

“We all make mistakes. He came in at the end and he accepted full responsibility. In football you play as a team and you stick together through thick and thin.

“We can do better than that. The injuries are unfortunate - all the back four today were full-backs. I thought they did well and it was just unfortunate what happened at the end.

“One point would have been better than none, obviously, but we were out to take all three. The injury to Jon Otsemobor was another blow because he was helping us build up momentum with his forward runs. He was like another attacker and we missed him after he went off.”