BACUP and Rossendale Borough FC’s match was abandoned on Saturday after the Bacup captain was allegedly ‘seriously assaulted’ at half-time.

As the players were leaving the pitch with the score 2-1 to home side Atherton Collieries, an opposing player is alleged to have attacked Bacup and Rossendale captain, Daniel Cocks.

Brent Peters, manager of Bacup and Rossendale, said: “At Atherton’s ground they have a tunnel that you can wheel on and off the pitch in order for the players to leave the ground.

“I could not see what took place in the tunnel, nor could any members of the public. All I know is that the captain of the team was seriously assaulted and when the referee and I arrived at the scene, he had been knocked to the ground.

“There are plenty of witnesses and this will be passed on to the police.”

Cocks suffered bruising to his face and the referee decided to abandon the League Challenge Cup tie.

John Deal, secretary of the North West Counties League said: “As the abandonment of the game may be subject to FA disciplinary charges, no comment can be made on behalf of the league at this stage.”