Gardner had already been yellow carded after reacting angrily to being on the receiving end of a challenge from Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara. But he then was sent off for a second bookable offence by referee Kevin Friend after allegedly going to ground too easily when challenged by Jody Craddock.
McLeish said: "Craig dived. He already had a booking and that leaves you treading on thin ice.
"But I was thinking he was diving to get out of the way because he had been booted about three or four times just before that.
"Craig is devastated in the dressing room and at half-time he has apologised to his team-mates and we now miss him for a couple of games."
Source: PA
Source: PA