Fly-half Gary Gray’s attempts at playing peacemaker cost him a red card as Gravesend lost 53-37 at CS Rugby 1863 on Saturday.

Grey raced over to defend grounded skipper Ashley Moorey during a final-quarter melee but was the man singled out and sent off.

Gravesend were trailing 39-37 at the time but the man advantage helped the hosts pull clear in the National 3 London & South East clash.

Two tries from Ross O’Loughlin and a Chris Meddings conversion kept Gravesend in touch at half-time, with CS Rugby 15-12 up.

Tony Nolan, Alex Buller and Jamie Forsyth crossed the line for Gravesend after the break, while Meddings kicked two conversions and two penalties.

The defeat sees Gravesend stay third from bottom.