PAUL Hurst didn't expect Grimsby Town's derby victory over Scunthorpe to be the catalyst for Brian Laws' departure.
The Iron boss was relieved of his duties at Glanford Park just hours after the Mariners' 2-1 victory in the FA Cup First Round replay between the two fierce rivals.
And Hurst says he was shocked at the timing of his opposite number's exit.
He said: "We had a job to do against them, which we did.
"But I certainly didn't envisage the result of us winning would be Brian losing his job – I didn't see that one coming.
"I spoke to him after the game and there was no sign of it. We were talking about the games we both had at the weekend and he was getting ready for their long trip to Portsmouth.
"It's a surprise to me – they're five points off the top of the league but decisions are made and it's not my place to say whether it's right or wrong.
"But it's never nice to hear of another manager losing his job because when it comes around to being your time, you would hope that your colleagues wouldn't be gloating about it."
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