Linesmen's Controversial Decision

A match between Crewe Alexandra and Notts County was temporarily halted when the linesmen refused to stand near the enraged traveling fans. The controversy arose after a 96th-minute penalty was awarded to Crewe, angering County's supporters.

Referee Replacement

The penalty was given by Richard Wigglesworth, who had replaced the original referee, Simon Mather, after he pulled his hamstring. This decision further fueled the frustration of County's fans, leading to projectiles being thrown at the officials.

Fans' Outrage

Reports suggest that Notts' fans chanted derogatory words and expressed their displeasure at the linesman's decision. The intensity of the situation led the linesman to refuse to run the line due to the proximity to the fans. The other linesman also refused to switch with him, causing a delay in the match.

Game Restarts with Penalty Kick

After a 13-minute delay, the game resumed in the 109th minute with the spot kick. Crewe's Courtney Baker-Richardson successfully converted the penalty, securing the victory for the home team.

Manager Backs Referee's Decision

Crewe manager Lee Bell defended the decision, stating that he believed it was a penalty. He commended the referee for having the courage to make the call after replacing the injured official.

Other Injuries in the Football League

In other Football League news, Wycombe suffered two serious injuries during their defeat to Stevenage in League One. Both players were taken to the hospital for further assessment.