Watch non-league game descend into utter farce after controversial goal

Last Saturday’s National League game between Braintree and Guiseley descended into chaos after a controversial goal close to the end the game.

After Braintree had a player down injured, while leading 1-0, Guiseley’s Ollie Norburn lashed the ball back to Braintree goalkeeper Tom King in an apparent act of good sportsmanship.

King, however, could only watch as the ball sailed over his head into the net to level the game at 1-1.

The convention when these sort of things happen would be to allow the aggrieved team to score an uncontested goal, but Guiseley refused to make that offer.

They believed that King could have moved to catch the ball and as such would not give Braintree back the lead.

The incident sparked multiple confrontations on the pitch and at one stage it seemed like the Braintree manager was looking to pull his side off the field.

To be fair to the referee, there is nothing in the rules he can do in the situation and Guiseley have been accused of bringing the spirit of the game into question.

Speaking to the BBC Sport website Braintree manager Danny Cowley didn’t hold back on Guiseley’s decision.

"They decided a draw was more important than their integrity and reputation," said Cowley.

"For me, my integrity and dignity is worth much more than that."

Guiseley’s chairman Phil Rogerson released a statement on the incident today.

"Having had time to sleep (or not) on the incident on Saturday, myself, Mark and the Club find the situation most regrettable and not in line with the general ethos of Guiseley AFC.

“Fair play is and always has been at the heart of the club. The decision to continue playing as normal after the goal was taken on the spur of the moment and under extreme pressure, not helped at all by the heated atmosphere.”