Cardiff 2 Brentford 2 - Harris admits Vaulks-Norgaard incident helped galvanize his Bluebirds

Shortly after gioing two goals down inside 20 minute after strikes from Luca Racic and Bryan Mbeumo, Vaulks was lucky not to be given his marching orders by referee Simon Hooper for retaliating with what looked like a knee and palm to the face of a stricken Norgaard after a fine challenge on the Bluebird midfielder.

After the furore between both benches calmed down, it was the home side who settled the quicker on the pitch as Junior Hoilett and Joe Ralls headed home to draw the scores level by the break.

“I think it unsettled Brentford and galvanised us as a group,” the former Millwall boss admitted.

“We are what we are, we’re a hard working football club with a passionate fan base, sometimes you need passion to get you stated.

“It galvanised us today, but it doesn’t mean to say we need or I want it every week!”

His opposing manager Thomas Frank revealed that Harris admitted he thought it was a red card, but understandably the Cardiff boss was less forthcoming in the post-match press conference.

“Sometimes it’s a man’s game, there’s flash points but we move on.

“Thomas is a really good guy, so I’m not going to bemoan him showing his passion.

“Will Vaulks is an aggressive player but he’s not a malicious player.”

The Cardiff boss thought his side were later unfairly treated themselves, revealing he was sure his side should’ve had a penalty after Ethan Pinnock tripped Hoilett in the box, a decision Thomas Frank felt went his side’s way also.

"I try and keep a calm head but the decisions tipped me over the edge," said Harris.

"It makes you not want to work with referees and help them develop.

"It's a clear-cut penalty and they have to get those decisions right. That's the difference between us winning the game.

"We gave a soft goal away for the first goal and it was a great free-kick for the second.

"I thought we were a little bit standoffish and passive for the first 20 minutes, which might have been caused by the first goal.

"We found our way back into the game by forcing our way higher up the pitch, forced some turnovers and scored a really good goal with some great build up play that finished with a great cross and header from Junior Hoilett at the back post.

"Then we started to really play, we caused them problems. I'm delighted with Joe Ralls to come back after such a long time out and get the goal."