JONATHAN Woodgate described Chris Mepham as "absolutely devastated" after his costly red card against Brentford, but insisted: "We've got to get behind him."

With Cherries 2-1 ahead on aggregate in their play-off semi-final tie, Mepham was given his marching orders for hauling down Bryan Mbeumo after 28 minutes at Brentford Community Stadium.

The pacey Frenchman had robbed a dallying Mepham of possession and was racing through on goal, only for the young defender to grab hold of the Brentford man's ankles and cynically trip him.

Referee Jarred Gillett reached straight for his red card. Mepham watched on from the stands as Cherries, with 10 men, conceded twice more and saw their promotion dreams go up in smoke, losing 3-2 on aggregate.

"Obviously Meps is absolutely devastated in the changing room after the game and we’ve got to get behind him," said Woodgate.

"We all make mistakes. We’re only human beings at the end of the day.

"So it’s important that Meps learns from that and he’s got to get on with that.

"Okay you can make that error, but then don’t bring him (Mbeumo) down. Let him go through. Because then it’s two mistakes.

"He brings him down and then it’s a red. Let Asmir try and save it."

Asked if that red card summed up what had been a tough campaign for the Wales international, Woodgate added: "Listen, it’s been difficult for him. I’m not going to come in and say anything nastily about him.

"We’re all human and we make mistakes.

"I’ve made plenty before in my career when I was a player and it happens. It’s a tough time for him, it really is."