Fan takes over at Fratton Park as two assistant referees are injured

A fan had to come out of the crowd to take over as assistant referee as Portsmouth were held to a goalless draw by Cheltenham.

The Robins produced a stubborn defensive display at Fratton Park to pick up their first point of the season.

But it was the officials who stole the limelight when not one but two assistant referees limped off through injury.

Fourth official Stephen Brown took over in the first half, but he then had to be replaced early in the second as an appeal was issued for a qualified referee to volunteer, leading to 21 minutes of stoppage time.

Julian Browning came to the rescue for the majority of the second half.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho told the club's website: "There was a chance the game could be called off because nobody knew about the guy who was going to come down.

"It wasn’t really too much of a problem for me, though, because he was arriving from the South Stand!

"He was a qualified referee and fair play to Cheltenham because they were happy for the game to continue."

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