Lee Bowyer defended Krystian Bielik after a late challenge on Conor Gallagher earned him a straight red card in Charlton's 2-1 defeat to 10-man Derby County.

The former Arsenal defender, who helped the Addicks win promotion to the Championship last season, lunged in against Gallagher following a stray pass from Jason Knight.

Referee Jeremy Simpson did not hesitate to send Bielik off afterwards, which reduced the hosts to 10 men after just a quarter of an hour.

But Bowyer, his former manager, insisted he meant no harm.

READ: Derby County vs Charlton - as it happened live

He said: "I think he's [Gallagher] getting roughed up a bit now. They're obviously realising he's a good player and you can't let him play.

"Did I think it was a red card? Probably, but we'd seen Krystian make that tackle loads last season. That's the way he is, he's full-hearted. He hasn't tried to hurt Conor, he's tried to honestly win the ball. 

"He slightly missed it and unfortunately, these days, if you do miss the ball then you do run the risk of earning a straight red."

READ: Bowyer: 'We weren't good enough and we got exactly what we deserved - nothing'

Meanwhile, Derby boss Phillip Cocu believed it was a "tough challenge" that could earn either yellow or red cards.

He said: "[I have watched the incident back] only on the phone.

"If I see it on the phone I can understand that the referee had to make a split-second decision, but I don't know. Maybe on the big screen I'd see it's not so.

"It's a tough challenge. Sometimes you get a red card, sometimes maybe yellow.

"It was a setback also for Krystian, of course, but the team did great to win so he feels a little bit better. Hopefully he will not be out for too long."

Bielik joined Charlton on a season-long loan last term and helped the club return to the Championship via the League One play-offs in May.

He left the Gunners that summer to join play-off finalists Derby on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.