GRAHAM Alexander accused ref Ollie Yates of being “heavy-handed” as City face up to losing captain Richie Smallwood.

The Bantams skipper was one of five home players booked in last night’s 4-0 win over MK Dons.

It was Smallwood’s 10th yellow card of the season – meaning he will be suspended for the next two league games against Sutton and Barrow.

Alexander felt Staffordshire official Yates was too quick to flash the cards.

“I’m glad I was up in the stand because I might have been up there again in a couple of weeks’ time!” said the City boss.

“I thought he was heavy-handed. There were some free-kicks that were half and half but they definitely weren’t yellows.

“I can understand it’s a decision if it’s a challenge and you go down. But to give yellows on some of them were too harsh.”

Smallwood had been on the brink of a suspension since picking up his ninth booking against Wimbledon at Valley Parade 10 days earlier.

The cut-off point for players to hit 10 yellows without then being banned is 37 league games.

Alexander added: “We knew he was close. But that’s part of football, you lose players through suspension and this, that and the other.

“We lose Richie for a couple of games and his presence in the team has been really important to us.

“But like I’ve talked about with Andy Cook, we have to have a squad that overcomes anyone dropping out and it’s an opportunity for somebody else.”

Kevin McDonald impressed again partnering Smallwood in City’s central midfield. The veteran’s presence will be even more important for the team without him.

Alexander admits he has to manage the former Scotland international carefully – and took him off midway through the second half.

“Kev’s an excellent player,” said Alexander. “Everybody knows that.

“But he’s not 24 anymore and he’s had issues over the last few years.

“We’re trying to manage him in the best way possible to make sure he’s out on that green stuff as often as he can be.

“We’ve maybe learned from my mistakes in a few games when I’ve just kept people on and kept them going game in, game out.

“We had some issues, and still have, with injuries. I’m trying to manage a squad now where we we judge where they are physically and keep them available to us as often as possible.

“But they must be at the standard that’s needed to win. Just being available to be on the pitch isn’t enough.

“You have to run hard to win a game of football consistently.

“But I’m delighted with what Kev’s produced. I think he gives the team a calming influence, he makes great decisions and makes the players around him better - and he’s a great lad.”