Nigeria international Olanrewaju Kayode was given his marching orders as Sivasspor secured a 2-2 draw against Goztepe on Sunday evening.
The former Manchester City striker was shown a straight red card by referee Burak Seker for serious foul play with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Kayode’s expulsion cost his team dearly as they surrendered their lead to earn just one point at the Sivas Stadium.
The hosts came into the game on the back of four consecutive defeats which included a 5-0 defeat to FC Copenhagen last time out.
Their impressive start earned them an 11th-minute lead through Dimitrios Goutas who headed Faycal Fajr’s cross past goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat.
In the 51st minute, the visitors levelled matters through Halil Akbunar who capitalised on shambolic defending by Riza Calimbay’s men.
Goutas completed his brace in the 66th minute - heading inside an empty net after Kayode’s initial header had kissed the woodwork.
With the Nigerian sent off four minutes later, Unal Karaman’s side took advantage of their numerical disadvantage to level matters through Beykan Simsek in the 84th minute.
Morocco’s Fajr was in action from start to finish for Sivasspor while Nigeria’s Leke James was subbed off in the 52nd minute for Mali forward Mustapha Yatabare.
Elsewhere, Ghana’s Isaac Cofie was introduced for Cote d’Ivoire’s Max-Alain Gradel in the 73rd minute.
While Nigeria’s Obinna Nwobodo played all 90 minutes for Goztepe alongside Senegal’s Cherif Ndiaye, his compatriot Brown Ideye was an unused substitute.
Meanwhile, Sivasspor manager Calimbay has blamed fatigue and Kayode’s expulsion for his side’s draw against Goz Goz.
"We played in Copenhagen two days before this match. There was fatigue on our team,” Calimbay told the club website.
“Our pace of play was good until the 65th minute when we took a 2-1 lead but after that, Kayode was thrown out of the game and that was a huge disadvantage for us.
“With his expulsion, we had to make changes. After 65 minutes, the team was already exhausted. Still, we fought well after all.
“Of course, we're sorry we got a point on our home soil, but a point is good too. The national break came just in time for us as we will be able to rest and our injured players will be able to return.
“After that, we'll start the league nicely because our team needs rest first and foremost.”
