I felt for the lads that were left on the pitch – Downes

NINE-MAN Cheltenham Town were thrashed by Grimsby in Sky Bet League Two in the Robins' first match since the sacking of manager Michael Flynn.

- MARK HALLIWELL

Isaac Hutchinson put the visitors - under the caretaker management of Aaron Downes and Ashley Vincent - ahead in the 19th minute, but it all started to go wrong when Jamie Walker scored two goals in quick succession and midfielder Harry Pell was sent off just before halftime for a second yellow card.

Forward Lee Angol was dismissed five minutes into the second half, also for a second caution, and further goals came in the second half from Jaze Kabia, Jayden Sweeney (two), Charles Vernam and Evan Khouri.

Cheltenham took the lead in the 19th minute when Hutchinson finished off Ethon Archer’s low cross, but Walker provided the response with two stunning strikes just two minutes apart, with long-range efforts in the 39th and 41st minutes.