Carlisle United co-owner Steven Pattison stepped in for an injured official in their 1-0 FA Youth Cup win over Doncaster Rovers, which might have seemed a charitable gesture had he not controversially denied the visitors an extra time equaliser.
60-year-old Pattison, a qualified referee, assumed the role when the referee picked up an injury and had to be replaced by one of her assistants early in the second half…
50' The referee has taken a tumble and is receiving some treatment from the Carlisle physio. 0-0 #DRFC
— DRFC_Academy (@DRFC_Academy) November 17, 2015
Referee Rebecca Welch is going to be replaced as she is unable to carry on! 0-0 #DRFC
— DRFC_Academy (@DRFC_Academy) November 17, 2015
The writing was on wall for Doncaster when they then had a penalty appeal turned down…
65' The newly appointed referee turns down a penalty appeal from Barker. 0-0 #DRFC
— DRFC_Academy (@DRFC_Academy) November 17, 2015
…but that was nothing compared to what happened in extra time after Carlisle had taken the lead….
CHAOS! 118' Rovers think they have a leveler but the stand in linesman deems it to be offside. 1-0 #DRFC
— DRFC_Academy (@DRFC_Academy) November 17, 2015
FULL TIME: It has finished @CUFCACADEMY 1-0 DRFC. A few questions will be asked about that disallowed goal…. #FAYouthCup
— DRFC_Academy (@DRFC_Academy) November 17, 2015
Carlisle youth team coach Alan Moore told BBC Radio Cumbria: “I’ve never seen it before. It’s a bit strange at our level.
“We’re pleased that somebody was there to step in and let us complete the game. For the lads to have to come back again wouldn’t have been fair.”
The match had been cast into doubt on Monday when the River Petteril burst its banks and flooded the pitch at Brunton Park, but the water was cleared away in time.