A CHATTERIS football club has come under fire after scoring a controversial last-minute equaliser. March-based Estover Park Reserves were beating Chatteris Fen Tigers 2-1 on Saturday when play was stopped after a Chatteris player went down with a head inj

A CHATTERIS football club has come under fire after scoring a controversial last-minute equaliser.

March-based Estover Park Reserves were beating Chatteris Fen Tigers 2-1 on Saturday when play was stopped after a Chatteris player went down with a head injury just outside the opposition penalty area.

Play was re-started with a drop ball and the referee instructed Tigers player Wayne Peachey to pass the ball back to the home goalkeeper Chris Smith.

Peachey lobbed the ball over Smith's head to score and the match finished 2-2.

The result leaves Chatteris Fen Tigers second and Estover Park Reserves second bottom of the Cambs BIS Division 5D.

Estover Park Reserves secretary and first team manager Steve Jackson said: "They ran off celebrating like they had won the World Cup.

"The referee booked the player for unsportsmanlike conduct and gave them a chance to do the right thing and let us score a goal but they refused.

"Our reserve team manager John Trower used to manage them so I don't know if there was a bit of history to it but it's a disgrace to local football to behave that way.

"Our lads refused to shake their hands after the match and they did well to keep control of their emotions because the match could have ended in a mass brawl."

Smith said: "I was standing out of position because I was expecting an easy pass back. I've been playing local football on and off for 30 years and I've never seen such bad sportsmanship."

Chatteris Fen Tigers secretary Dean Bailey said: "I was not at the game but I've heard about what happened.

"It was unsporting behaviour and it should never have happened. We don't have a history of unsporting behaviour.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing and I would like to apologise to everyone at Estover Park Football Club.