There was concern and controversy as last night's Eastern Counties Premier Division league game between Brantham Athletic and Woodbridge Town was abandoned last night.

There was concern for Imps goalkeeper Finlay Shorten who went down on three separate occasions in quick succession following an accidental clash with Woodpeckers striker Mark Ray with about two thirds of the match played.

Shorten, who had a spell at Woodbridge previously, was treated by the clubs' physio and first aider for some time before they advised the referee James Black the player should not be moved until emergency services arrived.

He was subsequently taken to accident and emergency at hospital for observation.

The official eventually agreed to call the game off but was then ordered by an FA refereeing assessor not to reveal the time on his watch when he abandoned the game.

Black was asked by the media and officers from both clubs but the unnamed assessor ordered the match official not to speak to the press and told club officers they had to wait until the Thurlow Nunn League had received the referee's report.

Referee James Black in action (Picture: Nub News)

The timing of the abandonment is vital as to whether the match is replayed and the refusal to be transparent, called the match officials and the FA assessor's integrity into question.

Questions include how much time had been added on to his watch? Had he stopped his watch? What time did he call off the game.

The game abandoned, with around 15 minutes to play according to other timekeepers, ended with the Peckers 2-0 in the lead.

Woodbridge, managed by former Ipswich star Luke Hyam and assisted by old Blues teammate Billy Clarke, went two up in quick tie early in the first half through Brosnan Jarrett and Conor Field.

Brantham worked their way back into the game but had a goal late in the first half disallowed for offside.

Imps stand in boss Staff Mallardo admitted it was quite baptism in just his second game in charge, with manager Pip Boyland on a delayed family holiday.

"Hopefully Fin will be okay," said Mallardo. 'It was an accidental coming together, nothing malicious, it is the sort of thing that happens in football.

"My understanding is the physios spoke to the referee and said they did not want move the player and the referee made the decision to call off the game."

Mallardo admitted he was not clear how long was left, while his watch had 15 minutes left to play.

He added: "I don't know what the referee has got left, no one seemed to know."