Bottom of the Sky Bet EFL, one win from their last 12 and now Grimsby's season has gone from bad to worse.
Forward Stefan Payne appeared to clash heads with winger Filipe Morais after the pair had a disagreement following the half-time whistle in the Mariners' 1-0 defeat away to Bradford City.
Referee James Bell followed Payne into the dressing room before showing the ex-England C player a straight red card.
HT - 🔴🟡 1 - 0 🔵
— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) April 10, 2021
Town fall behind at the end of the first half...which has seen Payne see red for headbutting Morais at the end of the half...unforgivable. #GTFC pic.twitter.com/SsMl9ZxuWi
Bradford's Anthony O'Connor netted the winner with a left-footed shot from close range three minutes before the break.
Paul Hurst's Grimsby remain at the foot of the Sky Bet League Two table, seven points off safety.
🟥 RED CARD | A truly bizarre end to the first half. Stefan Payne headbutts Grimsby team-mate Filipe Morais following an argument. Referee James Bell follows Payne into the dressing room and dismisses him. Crazy.
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) April 10, 2021
🐓 1-0 ⛵️#BCAFC | #CityForAll | #GRIvBRA | @PethBassSols pic.twitter.com/QsxFMGW2uU
Hurst indicated that Payne may not play for his side again this season due to the red card incident.
“It is something you can’t defend,” he said. “The two players have let the club down, the pair of them. They have let their team-mates down and the fans down.
“As far as the game is concerned they made it more difficult than it needed to be. I didn’t see it because I was making my way down the tunnel, but clearly it merited more than being a little spat.
“Now I have to concentrate on what to do next for the good of the team. The club will be taking action. That will remain private but it won’t swept under the carpet.
“(Payne) will get a three-match ban for being sent off, but I have got some thinking to do before I decide whether he plays again for the club before the end of the season.”
