FLORIN ANDONE apologised to his team-mates after his early red card for a reckless tackle helped send Albion to their first defeat of the season.

Fellow striker Leandro Trossard revealed the Romania frontman’s remorse for the challenge on Southampton defender Yan Valery after 30 minutes which was punished by an instant dismissal from ref Kevin Friend.

Trossard insisted the frontman – who will serve a three-match suspension – was not acting maliciously after his rush of blood left his side up against it at the Amex for an hour but says the hitman will have to learn from it.

Both feet left the ground as Andone caught Valery knee high competing for a loose ball.

Trossard said: “He tried to put his body in between and unluckily he landed with his feet on his knee.

“It’s not a good feeling when it is ten against 11 after 30 minutes but you have to keep on going.

“Florin is not the type of guy who wants to hurt an opponent.

“He didn’t do it on purpose. It’s a shame for him and also for us but we learn out of it and we have to keep on going.”

Asked if he had said sorry, Trossard revealed: “For sure. He knows he put us in a bad situation but we all said it can happen to anyone and you just have to learn from it.

“I think everyone will (apologise), especially if they get a red card after 30 minutes, but it is part of football and it can happen to everyone.

“We have to help him and he will help us in the future too.”

Albion had a Lewis Dunk header chalked off at 0-0 before a superb 55th-minute strike by sub Moussa Djenepo and stoppage-time finish by Nathan Redmond gave the south coast rivals their first points of the season.

Belgian livewire Trossard was pleased with the way the Seagulls reacted to the setback of losing Andone and having another effort ruled out after ref Friend had double-checked with VAR that Dan Burn had been in an offside position.

Luck does not seem to be going Albion’s way but Trossard said: “We have to fight for it.

“It can happen like that but if you’re disappointed, then your level will go down and that’s not the case at the moment.

“Everybody gave 200%, and if you do that every game then the luck will come and also the three points.

“Everybody was pleased with the reaction with the team and the way we fought.”