Football fan replaces fourth official during Portsmouth's win against Newport County

  • One football fans' afternoon took a bizarre turn during Saturday's action 
  • A supporter was plucked from the crowd to take on fourth official duties 
  • Qualified Mike Hurdle was the lucky man following an injury to an official
  • Hurdle took the place of Wayne Barratt who replaced James Adcock as ref

By Daniel Prescott For Mailonline

Published: 08:05 EST, 18 October 2015 | Updated: 11:17 EST, 18 October 2015

Portsmouth beat League Two basement side Newport County on Saturday – but the day took quite a twist for one supporter sat in the stands.

Matt Tubbs scored the only goal of the game for Portsmouth, his sixth of the season, before the half time changes were made.

But it wasn’t players that were swapped during the break, it was in fact the officials, with a fan from the Portsmouth end answering a call heard over the tannoy machine in Wales.

Portsmouth supporter Mike Hurdle (in jeans) takes over the role of fourth official during the clash with Newport

Portsmouth supporter Mike Hurdle (in jeans) takes over the role of fourth official during the clash with Newport

 Injury to the referee meant Wayne Barratt had to take on the role of referee for the second half in Wales

 Injury to the referee meant Wayne Barratt had to take on the role of referee for the second half in Wales

 Replacement Barratt rejoins the action as Portsmouth take on Newport County at Rodney Parade in Wales

 Replacement Barratt rejoins the action as Portsmouth take on Newport County at Rodney Parade in Wales

Matt Tubbs scored the only goal of the game as Portsmouth beat struggling Newport County on Saturday

Matt Tubbs scored the only goal of the game as Portsmouth beat struggling Newport County on Saturday

Staff at Rodney Parade launched an appeal to find a qualified official to slot in on the sidelines after referee James Adcock had picked up an injury in the opening half.

And up stepped supporter Mike Hurdle to take on the role of the fourth official after Wayne Barratt had stepped up to become the man in the middle.

Fortunately for Hurdle the game petered out with little incident as Portsmouth continued their fine form to go second in the table – three points behind leaders Plymouth.

Paul Cook’s side are unbeaten away from home so far this season and look set to go very close in the push for promotion. 

Paul Cook has guided his Portsmouth side to second in the League Two table following a good run of form

Paul Cook has guided his Portsmouth side to second in the League Two table following a good run of form

 

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