Winchester City skipper Lloyd Webber faces major dental treatment after being punched in the mouth during a firework finale to Tuesday's 3-2 Sydenhams Wessex League defeat at Wimborne Town.
Tempers flared when City defender Toby Redwood was sent off for violent conduct on Wimborne's Gareth Barnes and, amid the pushing and shoving, Wimborne substitute Gary Clark, who was not on the pitch at the time, sprang out of the dugout and sprinted 60 yards to get involved.
Clark then ran back to the dugout and was shown the red card by Weymouth referee Tim Paul after consultation with one of his assistant referees.
No one from either club would confirm officially who was responsible for Webber's injury.
Eastleigh-based Webber - a member of City's glorious FA Vase-winning team last season and grandson of former Saints defender and Torquay United manager, Eric - went to Southampton General where he received treatment for concussion and serious facial injuries.
Winchester manager Neil Hards, who witnessed the incident which took place in front of a couple of hundred spectators, reported: "Lloyd's face is up like a balloon.
"He had six stitches in his top lip, where his teeth went through it and I'd imagine his dental bill is going to run into hundreds if not thousands of pounds."
Although Wimborne pushed champions Winches-ter all the way in the race for the Wessex title last sea- son, relations have always been good between the two clubs.
City director of football David Malone admitted: "It's extremely sad. I'm just hoping that somehow we can find a solution without getting the police involved.
"I don't hold Wimborne Town FC responsible for what happened any more than I feel responsible for what Toby Redwood did. It's a pity for Wimborne, because it's taken the shine off the result for them."
Wimborne boss Paul Arnold, who managed 23-year-old Webber at his old club Brockenhurst, would not comment until the Dorset club had held an internal investigation.
He said: "Relations with Winchester have always been fine and it was a cracking match on Tuesday regardless of the result. It's a shame if it's going to be remembered for one 30-second incident."
The Hampshire FA have received the report on Redwood, who could face a hefty county suspension for his red card offence and manager Hards said: "His behaviour was not what I expect from one of our players. He will be dealt with by the club."
Referee Tim Paul was unavailable for comment, as was the Dorset FA - who would receive the report on Clark.
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