Bradford City stay focussed on the prize after bizarre dismissal

However, the major talking point was the sending-off of Stefan Payne for head-butting team-mate and former Bradford winger Filipe Morais at the end of the first half.

Morais’s misplaced pass as the game moved into stoppage time resulted in him being head-butted and Sheffield referee James Bell showed the red card.

Grimsby manager Paul Hurst said: “It is something I can’t defend. The pair of them have let down the club, their team-mates and the fans.

“As far as the game was concerned, it made it more difficult than it needed to be. It was more than a little spat. I have to decide what to do for the good of the team.”

The result which ended Grimsby’s eight-match unbeaten run leaves them seven points adrift of safety with eight games left.

The scrappy game was settled in the 42nd minute when Anthony O’Connor scored with a close-range effort from Gareth Evans’s cross after a strong spell of pressure.

Bradford joint-manager Mark Trueman said: “It was a hard earned win. Grimsby are fighting for their lives and their player who was sent off didn’t keep his emotions in check, but I had to keep our players focussed, see out the game and win it.

“As regards the play-offs, it’s all to play for.”

Bradford City: O’Donnell, Cousin-Dawson, P O’Connor, Canavan, Wood, A O’Connor, Watt (Scales 86), Clarke (Vernam 69), Donaldson (Crankshaw 77), Cook (Rowe 69), Evans. Unused substitutes: Hornby, Stevens, Scales.

Grimsby Town: McKeown, Hendrie, Hewitt, Menayese, Hebergham (Waterfall 45), Matete (Lamy 90), Coke (Spokes 83), Williams (Clifton 45), Morais (John-Lewis 45), Hanson, Payne. Unused substitutes: Battersby, Green

Referee: J Bell (Sheffield).

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.