Chris Wilder returned to Sheffield United earlier this month
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was sent off for kicking the ball into the stand and hitting a fan as his side lost to Southampton to make it seven Championship defeats in their first eight games.
Wilder was dismissed by referee Adam Herczeg for booting the ball into the crowd while leaving the field for half-time, moments after Saints were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
Although Adam Armstrong skied the spot-kick, Ross Stewart scored twice in seven second-half minutes to cancel out Tyrese Campbell's fine opener for the Blades, who had a last-minute header from Sydie Peck ruled out.
Sheffield United have now lost all four matches at Bramall Lane this season, their worst start at home since 1954.
But the talking point will be Wilder's dismissal.
He immediately went to the supporter to apologise, who did not appear to be injured, but Herczeg showed him the red card as he returned to the touchline.
Wilder 'disappointed' & 'first to say sorry'
Wilder did not speak after the game and Blades assistant boss Alan Knill said the 58-year-old was "disappointed" with the incident.
"It is frustration about a lot of the decisions," Knill told BBC Radio Sheffield.
"Then when we are coming off the ball is there and he goes to kick it off the wall and hits it into the stands.
"He is disappointed and was the first to say sorry to wherever it landed."
Last season the Blades were fined a total of £445,500 for recurring issues over player and staff conduct.
It followed incidents during matches against Wrexham, Watford, Portsmouth, Coventry, Bristol City and Plymouth.
One win, seven defeats
Sheffield United have lost all four games at Bramall Lane this season
The hosts looked to have continued their momentum from the 1-0 win at Oxford United on Saturday - their first victory of the campaign.
They took the lead as Campbell received the ball from Gus Hamer, sidestepped Joshua Quarshie before scoring left-footed from a narrow angle on the right.
However, in the third minute of first-half stoppage time Stewart duelled with Michael Cooper and won a penalty for a challenge by the Blades goalkeeper.
The awarding of the spot-kick looked soft and the home fans felt justice was done when Armstrong skied the penalty as he attempted to find the top right corner.
After the break, with Wilder no longer in the dugout, Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy thwarted Callum O'Hare in a key moment before Stewart levelled for the visitors in the 51st minute.
Armstrong's header came off the bar and Stewart kept his cool to slot home underneath Cooper.
Stewart then earned Southampton manager Will Still his first league win since the opening day when he turned inside and let fly from 25 yards out just before the hour.
United thought they had levelled in the final minute when Peck headed home Hamer's corner, only for the referee to rule the effort out for a foul.
'We'll get there' - Sheff Utd reaction
Knill: 'Frustration with a lot of the decisions'
Sheffield United assistant manager Alan Knill told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I think we have found the right positions but what we need to do is execute. Out of possession, we looked really good and solid and looked dangerous on the counter attack. You know the opposition is going to have the ball and you have to keep you shape and you'll get the chances.
"Tonight gives a lot of positives. When we walked in it was bigger than we thought, we underestimated it. The players have been really good.
"The performances have been okay, not where we want to be but getting there. We were nearly really good tonight. A few more games of finding a shape we are comfortable in and we'll get there."
'A job well done' - Saints reaction
Southampton boss Will Still told BBC Radio Solent:
"I am delighted. I am delighted for the fans who travelled up on a Tuesday evening. I'm delighted for the collective, I'm delighted for a few individual performances.
"To go a goal down, against the run of play to an avoidable one, was frustrating and then missing a penalty was all set up to make us think 'here we go again', but we did the opposite.
"We showed relentless energy and attitude to get back into the game with a good set piece and then to win it with a brilliant strike from Roscoe [Ross Stewart].
"We have come away with a big win, and an important one as well and the sense of a job well done. It is the reward for the last week to 10 days of performances which have had frustrating results."
Will Still: 'We showed relentless energy'
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