WORCESTER Raiders has announced an investigation into allegations that a crowd member threw a plastic bottle at referee Mark Coates during today’s (Saturday’s) 2-2 draw with Sikh Hunters.

A post on the club’s Twitter feed read: “Investigations ongoing into alleged away fan abusing and throwing a bottle at the referee at half-time.

“We will not comment further until the investigation process is finished.”

Worcester News:

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A club spokesperson, who claimed to have witnessed what had happened, said the alleged incident took place at full-time and was perpetrated by an individual identified as having arrived on the same transport as the Sikh Hunters team.

The spokesperson confirmed that work had already started on compiling and collecting various reports ahead of meeting with Raiders chairman Kevin Jenkins who was not present. 

The spokesperson also said the bottle was plastic and empty but declined to comment further ahead of pending investigations. 

It is an unwelcome distraction for Raiders who were reported to the FA by Darlaston Town (1874) over alleged “violence, racist and abusive comments made to some of our players and club officials” at a match between the title rivals on February 23.

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Top-of-the-table Raiders had led 2-0 thanks to goals from Anthony Smith and Paul Smith but that advantage was cut in half by Dan Jones despite the visitors before half-time.

Sikh Hunters manager Matty Lovatt was sent off along with one of his substitutes.

Hinesh Patel then headed in the late leveller that gave third-placed Hunters a share of the spoils.

Title rivals Darlaston Town (1874) had their match at Newport Town postponed so Raiders increased to two points their cushion at the top but now have just one game in hand.

Karl Gormley’s men travel to Bustleholme in the league on Tuesday (7.45).

Sikh Hunters chairman Lakbir Singh said he had not attended the match and could not comment ahead of establishing what happened.

He added there would be a "full internal investigation" to "identify any indivduals and facts surrounding" any incidents.