EFL player handed red card for moment of ‘absolute madness’ as pundits left shocked

There were incredible scenes in the League Two as promotion-chasing Notts County had a player sent off in bizarre circumstances.

The Magpies found themselves down to ten men against fellow playoff hopefuls Chesterfield after a moment of ‘absolute madness’.

Sky Sports

Sky Sports

Martin Paterson’s men went into Saturday’s early kick-off knowing victory would take them into the top three promotion spots.

However, Armando Dobra stunned Meadow Lane by opening the scoring for the visitors after just 17 minutes.

Notts County’s job then got even harder 120 seconds after the restart when Ollie Norburn was given a second yellow card.

The 33-year-old was challenging Dobra on the edge of his own box when the Chesterfield goalscorer fell to the turf and lost his boot.

Play continued, and Norburn stooped down to launch the stray cleat off the pitch, which saw him receive his marching orders.

EFL player sent off for moment of ‘madness’

Speaking to Notts hero Shaun Derry on talkSPORT’s GameDay Live coverage, Adrian Durham said: “He got two quick yellows.

“His second yellow Shaun was for throwing an opponent’s boot off the pitch. Have you ever heard anything like that?”

Derry, who played for Notts as a player and also managed the club, replied: “Oh, this is unbelievable, isn’t it?

“How do you get a yellow for that?”

When questioned by talkSPORT’s Durham, why Norburn would throw away the boot, Derry replied: “Some of these silly decisions that the players are making at the minute, getting these yellow cards. I mean, why would you want to put yourself in that position?”

“Madness,” Durham agreed. “Absolute madness!”

Despite being a goal down and a man down, Notts pulled level through a Sil Swinkels own-goal nine minutes before the break.

Tom Naylor restored Chesterfield’s narrow advantage on the cusp of half-time, but the home side equalised again in stoppage-time.

Matty Platt bundled home to leave Notts County just outside the automatic promotion spots on goal difference.

However, Paterson’s side slipped a point behind Cambridge United, having played a game more, when Liam Mandeville scored after the hour mark to put Chesterfield ahead for a third time.