VAUXHALL FC have been reported to the Football Association for 'failing to properly marshal a match'.

Referee Paul Graham claims he and his two assistants had punches thrown at them by visiting Worksop fans at the end of Saturday's 1-1 draw.

Graham told Rivacre Park officials on Saturday night that he would be filing a report to the FA about an alleged attack from travelling supporters as he made his way from the pitch back to the dressing rooms.

Vauxhall FC chairman Alan Bartlam said: 'The referee told us that he and both of his assistants had been punched by away supporters, and because our stewards had not been able to properly marshal them, both clubs would be reported. Everybody I've spoken to from our club says that they didn't see any such incident and I certainly didn't.

'I've also been told by our staff that he and his assistants stood back from the players as they left the pitch and walked to their dressing room after the teams had gone inside. It's all very strange but the matter could run and run and I suspect that the FA will be getting back to us at some time to hear our version of events.' Worksop Town secretary Keith Ilett says he saw nothing and is backing Vauxhall FC.

Ilett said: 'It's a load of rubbish, I was stood on one side of the gate with Vauxhall secretary Carole Paisey's husband, Brian, at the other, and although there were a lot of pointing fingers and waving hands from angry spectators, nobody hit the officials. In regards to not properly marshalling a match, I will back Vauxhall to the hilt.

'It's a storm in a teacup and the referee is just trying to cover up his awful performance. It's ironic that there was an altercation between Vauxhall's Carl Spellman and our Ben Walker but Mr Graham didn't see that.'

Players, coaching staff and match officials at Rivacre Park are separated from supporters as they walk to and from the changing areas and the pitch by a metal-cage tunnel.

The FA declined to comment on the matter. Vauxhall boss Owen Brown was disappointed not to pick up his first league win after having two late penalty appeals turned down.

Brown said: 'Firstly, we thought that Terry Fearns was well inside the area when he was fouled, but the referee gave a free-kick. At the end, Robbie Lawton went through and we felt he was brought down in a clear goalscoring position. We're pleased with the way the lads battled and even though Worksop are a topsix side and we're currently in the bottom four, there wasn't much between us.'

Vauxhall broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half as Carl Nesbitt's right-wing corner kick evaded everyone to curl into the net at the near post.

But Worksop kept up the pressure as Haran again proved to be the dangerman from setpieces, striking the bar with a header from Matty Caudwell's corner, and they levelled proceedings 11 minutes from full-time.

Winger Caudwell cut in from left and played a quick one-two with Hawes, before driving a low effort into the bottom left-hand corner of Kinsella's goal.

The hosts pushed forward desperately in the latter stages in search of a winner but found that their luck had ran out with two penalty calls turned down and substitute Aaron Rey striking the bar.

Vauxhall visit Altrincham tomorrow.