NOTTS COUNTY’s clash at Crewe Alexandra was halted due to the linesman refusing to stand near the travelling fans.
Notts’ supporters were raging with the officials after a 96th-minute penalty was awarded against their side.
Jody Jones was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box as the referee pointed to the spot.
However, the call angered County’s fans who let their displeasure be known at the awarding linesman.
The decision came after the match’s original referee, Simon Mather, was forced to be replaced by fourth official Richard Wigglesworth after pulling his hamstring.
Reports claimed that Notts’ fans then erupted as projectiles were thrown at the officials.
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It was also suggested that the words “cheat” and “w****r” were chanted at them from the away support.
Due to the intensity, the linesman was said to refuse to run the line because of the proximity to the fans.
To make matters worse and add to the chaos the other linesman reportedly refused to switch with him, causing the match to be delayed.
County’s players could be seen trying to calm down their incensed supporters.
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The game eventually was restarted 13 minutes later in the 109th minute with the spot kick.
Crewe star Courtney Baker-Richardson stood up and fired the penalty home to hand the hosts the victory.
After the game Crewe manager Lee Bell insisted that the decision was correct.
He said: “Yeah I thought it was a penalty.
“I think with the new rule change when you are so close to it but in this day and age it is a penalty.
“I think he [the referee] got it spot on, it takes a lot of courage to do that after coming on because he took his time.”
Elsewhere in the Football League, Wycombe suffered two serious injuries as two players were taken to hospital after their defeat to Stevenage in League One.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
