Sandy stunned as Diamonds duo Andrade and Winters both see red for on-field clash
AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Elliot Sandy has branded the on-field altercation between Bruno Andrade and Tyler Winters that saw both players sent-off in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Loughborough Students as 'inexcusable'.
Sandy has confirmed the duo will be 'dealt with internally' after their 20th-minute coming together resulted in red cards for both players.
Diamonds were already trailing 1-0 when the incident occurred, and the nine-men then battled hard but went on to concede two more goals late on as the team's play-off hopes were dented.
The result saw Diamonds slip to ninth in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division, although they remain five points off the play-off places with seven matches of the season remaining.
Asked about the double red card incident, Sandy told @AFCRD: "They have had a bit of a disagreement on the pitch and it has culminated in those two coming together.
"The linesman has said there was a bit of hands and stuff betweem the two of them, and there was obviously two red cards.
"They have let themselves down, they have let the club down, they have let their team-mates down and it is just so disappointing.
"It is inexcusable really, I have never had anything like that in football, and we will deal with internally, and to be honest I just want to talk about the rest of the lads who gave absolutely everything.
"It is a really disappointing day, but there is plenty of football left to play and we have to dust ourselves down and go again on Tuesday."
Diamonds have the chance to resurrect their play-off bid as they entertain fifth-placed Belper Town at Hayden Road.
Saturday also saw disappointiment for fellow Midlands Division sides Wellingborough Town and Corby Town.
The Doughboys entertained Long Eaton United at the Dog & Duck, but were left frustrated as the game finished 0-0.
It was a fourth game without a win for Jake Stone's side, who have claimed just three points out of the past 12 available to them.
Borough remain sixth in the table, four points outside the play-offs, ahead of another home game against struggling Bourne Town on Saturday (ko 3pm).
Corby were hoping to build on their midweek win over Shepshed Dynamo when they hosted relegation-threatened Bedworth United at Steel Park, but they were disappointingly beaten 2-0.
The defeat saw Leon Mettam's side slide to 13th and they remain nine points shy of the play-off places, and eight points above the drop zone.
The Steelmen are back at home on Wednesday night when they host Racing Club Warwick.