REFEREE David Howard sensationally walked off the pitch in this heated top-of-the-table clash after brandishing five yellow and two red cards.

The official abandoned the ill-tempered match 15 minutes into the second half after Rosegrove Rail had been reduced to nine men when skipper Andy Masson was dismissed for violent conduct and Norrie Doogan for dissent.

Howard, who walked off shortly after the second dismissal, also booked YCW's Christian Foster and Christian Anderson and Rosegrove's Lee Kelly, David Brittain and Doogan.

The League is now awaiting the referee's report before deciding what action, if any, to take against the two clubs.

In the match that never was, third-placed YCW raced to a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes against their fellow high fliers.

Lee Whalley split the Rosegrove defence with a through ball that Anderson raced on to and, although his initial shot was well saved by Brent Doogan, the striker slotted home the lose ball for his 20th goal of the season.

Brett Doogan set up Simon Smith who forced a good save out of Robert Pickup at the other end before YCW doubled their lead.

Chris Smith split the flat Rosegrove defence and Anderson timed his run perfectly to guide the ball beyond Doogan.

YCW's James Waddington and Ryan Haig were getting a lot of joy down the left and Haig went close with a full blooded drive that went inches over.

Rosegrove came close to reducing the deficit when Reegan Haig cleared Danny Nernie's header off the line after latching on to a cross from Brett Doogan.

YCW's Foster and Rosegrove's Kelly were booked as tempers began to flare before Masson forced a finger tip save out of YCW keeper Pickup with a well struck free kick.

Rosegrove had another chance to get back in the game just before the break when Pickup raced out to blocked a shot from Nernie and David Brittain fired the lose ball just over the bar.

And just before the break Masson fired just over the bar.

Any hopes of the game settling down in the second half soon disappeared following a quick flurry of yellow cards.

The game reached boiling point when Masson saw red for a clash with Ryan Haig before Norrie Doogan was next to go for dissent.

By that stage the referee decided enough was enough and headed for the changing rooms.

We look forward to his report with interest!

Rosegrove Rail 0 YCW 2 (match abandoned)