Robert Molenaar today dismissed Grimsby's "cheat" claims, saying: I'm not that kind of player.

The City centre half has hit back after criticism from Steve Livingstone who was red-carded in their relegation tussle.

Livingstone was sent off for elbowing Molenaar but later accused the Dutchman of "milking" the clash.

The Grimsby striker, who has launched an appeal, said: "I told him after the game that I thought he was a cheat. I tried to get past him and the next thing I heard was a squeal.

"I feel like I've been cheated and that the club has been cheated. There was no contact at all and he milked it."

Molenaar was reluctant to be drawn into a war of words but said: "Players who know me will know that I would never do a thing like that.

"If that's his opinion then that's fine. The only thing I know is that I was hit by an elbow.

"It didn't take my eye out and I'm not walking round with my head wrapped in a bandage. But I certainly did not try to cheat.

"The referee was near to the incident and had a perfect view. If I had been milking it, as the other player said, then I would have been punished for it.

"I can understand Grimsby's frustration because they are in a similar situation to us. Obviously they didn't get the points and the sending-off did change the game."

Grimsby contacted referee Mark Clattenburg yesterday afternoon to see if he would study the match video.

Manager Paul Groves said: "If there was any contact, and that's an if, then it was minimal.

"My thoughts are going to be irrelevant because it comes down to the referee. But it certainly wasn't an elbow that was brought back and belted into his face."

Molenaar added: "This does surprise me a little bit because this is not something in my nature. I want to win everything fair and square. If Grimsby don't believe that then that's up to them."

Chairman Gordon Gibb was yesterday finalising the payment scheme he will put to Lombards for the remaining £6.3m of the Sunwin Stand mortgage.

The business plan, detailing alternative ways of paying back the money, will be sent out to the club's biggest creditor by the end of the week.

Lombards agreed to hang on for the £350,000 January instalment while City drew up alternative arrangements.