I wouldnt argue with that but if he had been pushed and did it 3 or 4 times the ref would have had no choice. It is clear to see that he went mad with cards in the first 45 mins then as you say chickened out in the 2nd.
My frustration with both AK and March is that with 3 of the back four on early yellow cards why didnt they attack them rather trhan stand off them. This seems to happen more and more as if a yellow card means they must be left to play the game out without any problems.