'Red card a game changer against Blues' - Wellens

Richie Wellens' Leyton Orient have lost their past two matches

Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens said Jack Currie's 12th-minute sending off was "game changing" in his side's defeat at League One leaders Birmingham City.

Wellens said his side were on top in the early stages at St Andrew's and did not believe Currie's challenge on Tomoki Iwata warranted a straight red card.

Second-half goals from Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Ethan Laird secured a 2-0 win for Blues and extended their lead at the top to nine points.

"I thought for the first 10 minutes we were on top and that decision was game changing," Wellens told BBC Radio London.

"I'm gutted for my players because I didn't get an opportunity to see how far they've come and to go toe-to-toe.

"In my opinion, it wasn't a sending off. Jack kicked the ball first."

Wellens also questioned why a referee from a higher tier could not have officiated the match, with only four Premier League games and two Championship fixtures taking place on Tuesday.

Martin Woods took charge at St Andrew's with all his 17 league matches this term having been in League One, League Two or the National League.

"There's hardly any Premier League and Championship games today, why can't we have a referee from that level? It's a big ground [with a] big support base," he said.

Orient currently sit sixth in the table, in the league's final play-off spot, above Charlton Athletic on goal difference. They host the Addicks at Brisbane Road on Saturday.