Hungerford Town's Danny Robinson questions red card after being sent off during Oxford City defeat

Hungerford Town manager was left confused as to why he was sent from the dugout during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Oxford City at Bulpit Lane.

Shortly before half-time, a mass brawl broke out in the game after Callum Willmoth pushed Zico Asare into the advertisement boards after attempting to retrieve the ball when it was Hungerford’s throw.

From there, players and coaches from both sides got involved in heated discussions with referee Jonathan Maskrey appearing to see punches thrown.

Although Maskrey was unable to identify those throwing punches, he showed red cards to Robinson and Oxford manager David Oldfield due to them both having the most responsibility in their team.

“I should read the rulebook because I have never heard of that,” admitted Robinson. “The referee came over and explained it, but if I can’t see who threw punches or who started the scuffle then the manager has to carry the can.

“He said he saw a punch from our bench and a punch from their bench and he couldn’t see who it was, so therefore the managers have to go.

“It’s a new one on me and I won’t forget that one, but it was a tough day all round.”

It was a difficult day at the office, which saw Sol Wanjau-Smith sent off for a challenge on Canice Carroll after 20 minutes of the game.

Much to the shock of the crowd, and the Hungerford team, after what appeared to look like a 50/50 challenge from the side, the home side had to play 70 minutes with a man less.

“It’s never a sending off and you could tell in the ground because you almost heard the gasp when the red card was shown.

“He maybe went over the top, but he is getting his body in between the ball and the defender,” he said. “It is something we will look back at and if we feel that we can appeal it then we will.

“I thought my lads were absolutely fantastic, they gave us everything against a top side and we have to take it on the chin and move on.”

Hungerford conceded a late goal from Reece Fleet and despite staying in the game until the very end, Robinson felt his side deserved more.

“I am never okay with losing, but there is a manor of how you can lose and we gave absolutely everything and I don’t think we deserved to lose.

“We couldn’t get anywhere near them last year, so I wanted us to compete this time round and I feel like we did.

“We made things difficult by playing 70 minutes with 10 men and I couldn’t be more proud of my boys.”