Romein shown red as Devils suffer big loss

Goal-keeper Aaron Romein was sent from the pitch after giving away a penalty – which was converted – as the Reds capitulated to a 4-1 loss in Endeavour Hills.

Romein will now miss the team’s clash with Melbourne City next weekend.

Dandenong City led the contest 1-0 at half time before Ballarat leveled the scoring through Nelson Salvatore in the 60^th minute.

But that proved to be the only joy for the Reds, which conceded a second goal from the spot and then two more shortly before the final whistle when playing a man down.

Chris Antondadis was the most dangerous in attack for the home side with a brace.

Ballarat manager James Robinson said his team needed to be more clinical during its dominant period after half time, which included a goal disallowed for offside shortly after the re-start.

“Straight after half time I got the reaction I wanted from the boys in terms of what we needed to do because we created those chances,” Robinson said.

“When we went down to 10 men, then the pendulum swung.

“That’s football for you. And that’s where that learning curve has got to be crucial for us. When we’re on top, we’ve got to make this count.”

Robinson said he didn’t have any issues with the penalty decision.

“It was a bad back pass and Aaron tried to solve the problem,” he said.

“It was one of those things that happen.”

Young gloveman Ryan Schorback was substituted onto the pitch in the 67^th minute to replace Romein between the posts, with Brandon Lauton the unlucky player to be sacrificed.

Following injury concerns on Saturday, Robinson said David King and Daniel Tinker would be assessed during the week ahead of the side’s upcoming encounter.

Ballarat has slipped to seventh on the west division table following the loss and is now eight points adrift of leaders Whittlesea Ranges.

Following the trip to meet Melbourne City, the Reds are back home the following weekend for a clash with Sunshine George Cross.