IFA to investigate match trouble

There were ugly scenes after Saturday's draw at the Showgrounds

IFA chief executive Howard Wells has promised a full investigation into the ugly scenes after the game between Ballymena and Distillery on Saturday.

Referee Mark Courtney needed a police escort off the field, managers Tommy Wright and Paul Kirk had to be kept apart and missiles were thrown by fans.

"There will be a thorough investigation into why, and how, this happened," Wells told the Belfast Telegraph.

"When supporters throw missiles onto the pitch it is very serious."

He added: "I've already asked for a copy of Mark Courtney's report.

"It doesn't portray a good image of the game in Northern Ireland and we will do everything possible to get to the bottom of who caused the trouble.

"This incident has also highlighted the need for match delegates to be in place at every game and it is a trial we will be doing in April."

Courtney and his assistants waited on the pitch for almost 15 minutes while police vehicles surrounded the pitch.

Players were also involved in jostling following the 2-2 draw.

A chair, a bottle and a leg of lamb are all believed to have been thrown toward the pitch by angry Ballymena fans.

The match was a lively affair, with Nathan McConnell scoring an equaliser for Distillery in the ninth minute of added time after United had been reduced to nine men.

United fans are believed to have been angered by the display of referee Courtney, whom they believe should have dismissed Whites goalkeeper Philip Matthews, as well as the two Ballymena players.

They also claim that Whites players made a number of inflammatory gestures towards the United support and did not return the ball to Ballymena after home goalkeeper Paul Murphy had received treatment for an injury.

Jostling at the final whistle appeared to continue in the tunnel area and disciplinary action is likely after the IFA's Disciplinary Committee study the referee's report.