' Fan replaces fourth official '

Fan replaces fourth official at Newport game with Portsmouth

A fan was pressed into service as an emergency match official during Newport County's 1-0 League Two loss to Portsmouth on Saturday.

Referee James Adcock suffered an injury during the first half and fellow official Wayne Barratt had to take his place in the middle.

With no reserve official at the game, a call was made over the tannoy at Rodney Parade for help.

Qualified Mike Hurdle answered the call and took over fourth official duties.

Wasn't there a steward at Ninian that ended up running the line after the ref AND his replacement were injured.

Wasn't there a steward at Ninian that ended up running the line after the ref AND his replacement were injured.

I'm sure I remember something similar happening. The ref injured his ankle or something and had to come off, and then the fourth official did something towards the end?

Just found this from an article on a Reading website (12 bizarre incidents)

5. Three refs
This was an exciting game away at Cardiff's Ninian Park in 2004.

Reading's 3-2 win was an excellent performance, but what was remarkable about the game is it featured not one, not two, but three referees.

The first ref pulled a muscle after about 11 minutes and the second in the second half.

A call to Mr Porton was avoided by the third ref not injuring himself and just having the simple task of blowing the whistle when Dean Morgan scored a last minute winner.