MALVERN Radar were left stunned when AFC Brickfields player-manager Wes Joyce ordered his side to leave the field after claiming the referee had “lost total control of the game”.

The ex-Worcester City striker said he feared the McDonald’s Worcester and District League Sunday Division Three clash could get “out of hand” after his team received two second-half red cards.

And Joyce stressed he called a stop to the game with Radar leading 3-1 in order to “protect” players and the match official.

Worcestershire FA are looking into the reasons behind the abandonment on 70 minutes before a decision will be made on whether or not the result should stand.

But Joyce, who was one of the players sent off, defended his actions.

“The ref lost total control of the game,” Joyce said.

“I pulled the team off the pitch before it got out of hand to protect the players and the referee.

“I have been in games before when it has gone a bit over the top.”

Joyce could only field 10 men from the start at Victoria Park after claiming his call to cancel the fixture due to a lack of players was dismissed by league officials.

Radar opened up a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to Fraser Crump and Adam Buckley before Joyce cut the deficit.

But the 37-year-old’s celebrations were shortlived when he received a second yellow card.

“It was a coming together and the player ended up on the floor,” said Joyce on the incident.

“The ref didn’t see anything but gave me a yellow card.

“He said it was for violent conduct which should be a straight red but gave me a yellow so he contradicted himself.”

Elliot Street restored Radar’s two-goal advantage before Chris Deakin was sent off having already been sin-binned for dissent.

“Chris went off for 10 minutes and then came back on,” Joyce explained.

“But as the ref was losing his way Chris swore at him again and got sent off for dissent so we ended up with eight men.

“When the ref starting losing control of the game I thought this isn’t going to end pretty and will end up with bans and people will get in trouble on and off the pitch.

“It might not have happened but I avoided it happening. I took the decision (to call it off).

“We had lost the game so I thought let’s get out of here unscathed.”

Joyce said he apologised to Radar's management team who were left baffled.

“It was all a bit bizarre,” Radar secretary Steve Harness said.

“They only started with 10 men and when they had the two sent off they went down to eight so they were struggling.

“But they were not too bad in the first half so I was a bit surprised when he did that.

“If the game reaches 70 minutes I think the result stands but that’s for the league committee to decide.”

League secretary Wayne Hanson said: “We are aware that the match was abandoned.

“The relevant reports have been submitted to Worcestershire FA and should they find the abandonment was not as a result of any misconduct the league management committee will meet in due course to decide on the status of the result.”