Grimsby 0 Rotherham 0

Last updated : 19 October 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Normally a point at home from a goalless draw would not prompt a standing ovation from the supporters, but this was no ordinary 0-0 draw as Grimsby played with nine men from the 53rd minute and could even have taken all three points.

Because they had two players sent off and also used all three subs they ended the game with only six men who actually started.

And while they was rejoicing for Grimsby it was nothing but frustration from Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore.

Last weekend it was all about the so called hoax phonecall from Ipswich about Moore's services as manager but this week he bemoaned his side's ability to beat nine men.

While paying tribute to Grimsby's battling performance he added: "Teams should not survive with nine men especially at this level.

"The quality and guile were not there and I could not see us scoring, we were not cute enough we could have lost it late on."

A scrappy match exploded into life when Grimsby midfielder George Santos was sent off for violent conduct adn Grimsby readjusted by taking off striker Steve Livingstone and bringing on a midfielder.

Even this gameplan went out off the window after 54 minutes when Mariners central defender Paul Raven was sent off for his second yellow card.

Grimsby boss Paul Groves had no complaint about either sending-off and Rotherham's Moore thought the ref had it "spot on" although adding that Raven might have gone for a first bad challenge in the game.

But Grimsby's nine men encouraged by some great vocal support kept the not so merry Millers at bay and remarkably might have snatched all three points late in the game