EFL boss dragged away from full-time brawl after stoppage time chaos
A wild end to Salford City’s win over Notts County was followed by a brawl involving players from both sides.
It came after three stoppage-time goals saw the home side clinch all three points in the race for promotion from League Two.
Salford thought they had snatched victory through Ryan Graydon after he headed them in front in the 92nd minute.
However, Luke Browne equalised three minutes later for Notts County following a goalmouth scramble.
His goal temporarily moved the visitors into the automatic promotion places with the clock ticking down.
There was still time for Salford to restore their lead, though.
Just a minute after they had been pegged back, Matt Butcher grabbed the winner in the sixth minute of added time.
His strike sees Salford move up to fifth in League Two, one place behind their opponents.
The two sides are now separated solely by goal difference in the EFL‘s fourth tier with five matches remaining this season.
Chaotic full-time scenes
However, there were then some unsavoury scenes following the final whistle at the Peninsula Stadium.
Notts County boss Martin Paterson was at the heart of a melee in the centre circle after clashing with Salford’s Luke Garbutt.
The pair could be seen exchanging words as tempers boiled over on the pitch.
Players from both sides quickly intervened alongside coaching staff as Paterson and Garbutt were both led away from each other.
Tempers were finally cooled as the visitors’ manager headed towards the tunnel.
Meanwhile, the Salford players were quick to take the opportunity to celebrate their victory with the home fans.
‘I thought it was disrespectful’
Following the match, Paterson explained why he became involved in the melee.
He told BBC Radio Nottingham: “Football, whether you like it or not, is an emotional game.
“I don’t think you should hide that from anybody, it’s an emotional game.
“At the end, I’m only getting involved because I think the way the boys celebrated right in front of the bench was disrespectful.
“I think it was good, hard game, played in the right manner. I think away from home you’re always going to lay on the other side of decisions sometimes.
“But I thought on the main it was ok, but one player celebrated in front of the bench and I thought it was disrespectful, so I made that abundantly clear.”
Karl Robinson will be hoping his side can carry their momentum forward in a bid to reach League One for the first time.
Salford are now level on goal difference with third-place Cambridge United, who have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, MK Dons are just two points ahead in second place.
The Ammies could leapfrog both of their promotion rivals by winning at Crewe Alexandra on Easter Monday.
As for Notts County, they host Newport County on the same day in their next outing.
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