Video: Boss and Martinez on Wolves draw

Jackett also revealed that former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi is to train with the club ahead of a possible move.

He then paid tribute to his team's rearguard action as they claimed their first clean sheet of the season.

Of Coady's red cardm he said: "I was surprised, like everybody in the stadium, with the red card but after that the players were fantastic.

"They dug in, worked very hard, were disciplined, organised and made it difficult for a very good Brighton team.

"I was surprised it was a straight red. The referee made his mind up very quickly. After that the commitment, the heart and the running my players showed was terrific."

Scott Golbourne conceded a first-half penalty, saved by Emiliano Martinez, and Jackett had no complaints with that decision.

He said: "My first impressions were it was a penalty, and a fantastic double save by Martinez.

"I felt we played against a good team, I can see why Brighton are where they are, when you're looking at Elvis Manu and Bobby Zamora coming on they're very good substitutes.

"How close are we to them, what can we do during the course of the season, they're the key issues for us.

"We didn't have any clear cut opportunities when we went down to 10 men but as a unit we did defend very well and I was pleased with the effort and commitment that we showed."

Kevin McDonald, dropped from the squad at Bolton last weekend, made a return from the bench as Jackett shuffled his pack following Coady's sending off.

Jackett said of the Scottish midfielder: "I'm sure Kevin will want to get back to playing and playing at his best, because he's been a very influential player over the past two years.

"And, at 26, I've got confidence that he has his best times ahead of him. Tactically it was right to put another central midfield player there.

"It just leaves Benik with a bit of a break and, at the right time, try to get the wide men up with him and David Edwards from central midfield."

Free agent Ameobi left Crystal Palace in the summer. The 6ft 3in Nigerian international, aged 33, scored 53 times in 312 games in 14 years at Newcastle, although 145 of those appearances were from the bench.

Jackett, who stated earlier in the week that Manchester United striker James Wilson was unavailable on loan, is chasing a new forward after Nouha Dicko was ruled out for nine months with a knee injury.

He said of Ameobi: "Shola will be training with us, and coming down to talk, but it's early in the whole situation."