DARIO Gradi launched a stinging attack on Carl Martin after the defender was sent off in last night's 4-2 win against Grimsby.

The former Wealdstone player, making only his fourth substitute appearance, was handed a straight red card for his 86th-minute challenge on Michael Leary.

Crewe were leading 3-2 at the time, but Clayton Donaldson put the result beyond doubt in the final minute – although Gradi couldn't contain his anger over Martin's dismissal.

Gradi declared: "He won't figure again for a while and the ban he gets will be music to my ears.

"I'm annoyed with Carl, even though I don't know what he did to get sent off.

"I was still raging with him for running with the ball when I told him not to.

"I shouted to him to pass the ball and not play like Roy of the Rovers.

"If he does that again, then his career here will be over."

But Martin insisted he was surprised by referee Colin Webster's decision to hand him his first red card of his career.

"I thought it was harsh, because it wasn't really a tackle," said Martin, who replaced Matt Tootle in the first half.

"I was trying to slide the ball to Ashley Westwood, but my second touch was a bit heavy and I was stretching. There was no intention to hurt the player."

Match report: Page 49