Robert Eagle admitted his match-winning second half display came with mixed emotions after seeing a red card for the second time this season.

The former Norwich City midfielder proved the difference between the two sides after coming on for injured Blues skipper Dan Gleeson at half-time.

Match report: Lowestoft Town 3 Tamworth 2

Eagle bagged a brace, the second of which proving to be the winner, but earned a yellow card for over celebrating according to the referee. It was a decision that would have serious repercussions for Eagle in the last minute when a mistimed tackle on Tamworth dangerman Brendon Daniels saw him gain a second yellow card.

While it didn't affect the result, it tempered what should have been a joyous return to the side for Eagle, who has missed several games for the Blues this season through work commitments.

'It was good and bad really,' said Eagle, who also saw red in Lowestoft's defeat at Worcester in September. 'It's not often you manage to get a couple of goals and then get sent off. I don't know what the referee was thinking really – only he knows why I got a yellow card for celebrating. I didn't take my shirt off or anything like that. I just celebrated to the crowd and got a yellow card for it.'

Eagle also felt his second caution was extremely harsh with the 27-year-old claiming he was actually trying to avoid Daniels.

'I knew I was on a yellow so I jumped out of his way so that I didn't foul him but the referee gave me the red anyway,' he added. 'I thought the referee was quite poor today. I think he could have handled the game a lot better. In the first half their number 10 stamped on Gleese (Dan Gleeson) and I don't know how he wasn't sent off.'

Eagle admitted he felt like he had a point to prove to the management team after they decided to start him from the bench.

'Every player thinks they should be starting every game and I'm no different,' he said. 'I've always thought that – no matter what level I've been at. When you're sitting on the bench you just want to get on and show why you should be starting.'

Eagle was unusually deployed down the right flank but cut in to devastating effect on two occasions with fine left-footed finishes.

'I think it made a difference me playing on the right – normally I play down the left wing but I'm not that quick anymore! It's easier for me on the right to get my crosses in and cut in and have a shot.

'I prefer it on the right – I think it's better for the team that I can get my crosses in early or get some shots in. Obviously today it made the difference.'

Match report: Lowestoft Town 3 Tamworth 2