Altrincham forced to replay cup tie after rivals refused replacement ref... including one who had been drinking in the clubhouse!
Altrincham will have to replay their FA Trophy tie with Colwyn Bay which ended in controversy on Saturday, the FA have ruled.
When referee Mark Ackerman pulled up with a calf injury in the 81st minute, Colwyn Bay manager Frank Sinclair blocked all attempts to install a replacement official.
Altrincham were leading their Skrill Conference North rivals 2-0 at the time, but with no fourth official on duty and former Chelsea defender Sinclair refusing to budge, the game was abandoned.
Rematch: The FA have ruled that Altrincham must replay their FA Trophy match with Colwyn Bay at Llanelian Road on Tuesday night
Refusal: Saturday's fixture was called off after Colwyn Bay manager Frank Sinclair refused a replacement referee
An Altrincham supporter who was qualified to step in as assistant was turned away on the grounds that he'd had a drink in the clubhouse at half-time, while Sinclair not only rejected an offer from visiting assistant-manager and former Premier League striker Neil Tolson to volunteer his services but declined an invitation to run the line.
With Ackerman telling Altrincham officials that his match report would contain a reference to Sinclair's stance and the abandonment being ‘caused by Colwyn Bay', one of non-League football's most famous names felt the tie should be awarded to them.
However, the FA ruled that, as agreement could not be reached between the sides at the times, it should be replayed at Colwyn Bay on Tuesday night.
Another chance: Sinclair, pictured giving a team talk, will be pleased to have a second chance in the FA Trophy