AVELEY striker Tyler Devlin has been accused of biting an opponent during his side’s 3-0 loss to Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday.
Devlin had a confrontation with Regent defender Matt Cripps during the early stages of his side’s disappointing loss 3-0 to Regent at Mill Field.
Holman reeled away in anger after the incident, claiming Devlin had bitten him on the forearm.
A melee ensued but neither referee, Steve Parmenter nor his assistants spotted the alleged bite and Devlin stayed on the field, only to be pulled off by Millers boss Justin Gardner at half time.
Brightlingsea boss James Webster shows his anger as Matt Cripps is treated for his "bite"
Regent manager James Webster was convinced it was a bite.
He said: “I was very shocked. There is no place for that sort of behaviour on a football pitch.
“But credit to Aveley once it was confirmed what the player has done by his own team-mates they subbed him off at half-time.
“However, the referee didn’t see the incident.”
Millers boss Gardner contests that version of events.
He said: “"I never saw anything. There wasn't really that big a reaction. Some of their players said ‘he bit me’, but no-one spoke about it for the rest of the game.
"The two players went down and I couldn't really see what was going on. At first I thought Tyler had stood on him.
"I can't really comment having not seen it but if someone had bitten me I would have been furious. The referee said he never saw anything either.
"I made three changes at the break as we were struggling.”
It was a bad day all round for Aveley who were 3-0 down at the interval after a trio of fine Brightlingsea strikes from Ben Newson, Phil Kelly and Ollie Canfer.
They re-organised at the interval but the game was over and their day was made worse when Sammy Knott was sent off.
"We couldn't believe that Sammy was shown a red card later in the game and even Brightlingsea said it shouldn't have been a red,” Gardner said.
"But all credit to them they played well and scored two very good goals, although I think we should have stopped two of the three going in."
Tyler Devlin (with his backturned) tries to get away from the incident
Aveley's Tyler Devlin
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here