Mariners fans clash with Stags boss Evans

BOSS Steve Evans argued his innocence after being embroiled in a flashpoint with home fans in Mansfield’s defeat at Grimsby.

Two goals from Callum Dyson and one from former Stag Chris Clements saw the Mariners reignite their play-off hopes.

But the main talking point came midway through the second half when Evans was sent to the stands following a long debate with the fourth official. Sat among vocal Town supporters in the Main Stand, an altercation then occurred between Evans, fans and Grimsby staff.

“I have absolutely no idea why I was sent off,” said Evans. “The fourth official called the referee over and the next thing I know, I’m sent off.

“I asked the fourth official why he felt it necessary to talk to the referee, but he refused to comment.

“Then the only option they gave me to watch the game was to sit with the Grimsby fans. It got a bit heated and I decided to head down to the dressing room and gather my thoughts ahead of talking to the players after the game. The match was gone by that point.

“We can’t take anything away from Grimsby – they played very well and we must move on.”

Grimsby broke the deadlock in scruffy fashion on 40 minutes.

A Tom Bolarinwa header was cleared off the line before Clements pounced to poke the ball home from close-range.

The Mariners doubled their advantage on the hour mark and it was a goal that will have the Blundell Park natives talking for years. Bolarinwa broke and fed Dyson who powered down the right wing before beating one man, cutting inside another two and curling brilliantly into the bottom corner from just inside the box. It was soon after that Evans was sent to the stands and the day quickly became worse for the former Leeds chief. Bolarinwa was fouled in the box and Dyson duly stepped up to fire home on 73 minutes.

Delighted Grimsby boss Marcus Bignot said: “I really don’t know what was going on with Steve Evans and the fourth official – I was trying to focus on the game.

“When he went to the stand I must admit my concentration did lapse a little when I saw what was going on. I thought they may need my assistance at one point because, although not a lot of people know this, I’m quite hard!

“We are getting a serious and settled first team and I am becoming really excited.

“The players are coming together now and it’s intriguing.”