NINE-MAN Grimsby Town lost 3-1 (4-2 on aggregate) against Gateshead in their Play-Off Semi-Final second leg this afternoon.
It means the Mariners will spend another season in the Conference.
The sides started the match with the semi-final poised at 1-1 following Thursday night's draw at Blundell Park.
Gateshead started well, and tested Town keeper James McKeown when a Chandler effort from 12 yards had to be dealt with.
They went ahead on 22 minutes when Player of the Year winner McKeown fumbled a James Marwood shot.
There was little attacking threat from Town, and Gateshead carried their advantage into the break.
Gateshead had an effort cleared off the line on 51 minutes as they looked to turn the screw.
Things went from bad to worse for Town on 54 minutes when Scott Neilson was controversially sent off for a challenge on Baxter. The decision appeared a harsh one.
Somehow, the ten-man Mariners got back into the game when Craig Disley smashed home on the hour mark after good build-up play from Aswad Thomas and Lenell John-Lewis.
But it was almost a case of mission impossible on 77 minutes after Sam Hatton was sent-off for two yellow cards, leaving them to play-out the remainder of the match with nine men.
Gateshead made it 2-1 on the day and 3-2 on aggregate with six minutes left when Marwood curled in a beauty.
JJ O'Donnell rounded off the scoring deep into injury time.
There was a crowd of 8,144 at Gateshead's International Stadium – including more than 1,500 travelling Town fans.
Pick up a copy of tomorrow's Telegraph for manager reaction, full report, match stats and pictures.
