The match quickly turned ugly; a stray ball from McInnes in the middle of the field, later described by United striker Laurent D'Jaffo as a "pass from God", lead to Santos being sent off for a high and poorly timed lunging tackle on Johnson, the studs of his boot connecting with the Welsh midfielders' shinbone. The two teams then began a mass brawl on the pitch, and amidst the ensuing mêlée, Suffo was also quickly sent off for headbutting McInnes directly in the view of Wolstenholme, an action so violent it caused the Albion player to bleed. Albion defender Darren Moore was visibly angered by the actions of the United players, and had to be physically restrained by D'Jaffo; Johnson said it was like Moore "had the devil in him". All this meant that United had been reduced to eight men, and with no more substitutions remaining. Soon after, United captain Keith Curle was fortunate to avoid a sending off after appearing to throw punches at McInnes, as was Michael Brown for a foul on the same player, clambering over him as Albion made a breakaway. Wolstenholme later admitted to not awarding red cards and keeping both players on the field in order to finish the match.