CITY are appealing against Emmanuel Osadebe’s late dismissal at Grimsby.

Kevin McDonald confirmed that they will contest the decision to red card Osadebe in the closing minutes of Tuesday’s Football League Trophy clash.

The midfielder, who had scored in City’s 2-1 win, currently faces a three-match ban in the competition.

But caretaker boss McDonald revealed the club are prepared to fight Osadebe’s corner.

“An appeal in the process of happening because we strongly believe it,” he said.

“What’s happened is that the reports have been tweaked a bit which I gather seems to be the case with these situations.

“There will be an appeal going in and we’ll see what comes of it.”

Referee Paul Howard dismissed Osadebe after a melee which started when Grimsby defender Harvey Rodgers went in late from behind on Chishom Afoka.

Rodgers appeared to force Afoka face down on the ground as Osadebe got involved.

He grabbed the Mariners man by the shirt and shoved him away – but the immediate comments from the officials at the scene suggested that Osadebe had seized his throat. Footage of the incident showed that was not the case.

McDonald added: “I’ve been on the end of those, being in Manny’s position or the other centre half.

“What’s said at the time by the referee and the fourth official and then you get a report and it’s a little bit (different), that’s the frustrating part.

“We’ll see what happens from the appeal but it is frustrating, that’s for sure.

“We don’t believe it was a sending off. Yes, it was the heat of the moment and kicked off a little bit but if that’s a sending off, then there’s a problem.”