Exeter City manager Matt Taylor has written to Football League to seek clarification on a ruling that led to a goal during the Grecians 3-1 home defeat to Grimsby Town last weekend.

Matt Taylor was left infuriated when referee Brett Huxtable waved play on after Archie Collins was fouled in the build up to The Mariners' first goal on Saturday.

Huxtable waved an advantage to City, but they lost the ball, leading to Grimsby going up the other end and winning a corner. Between then and the corner being taken Huxtable booked Liam Gibson for the foul on Collins, and Collins left the field to receive treatment. Grimsby went on to score from the corner with Ethan Robinson, from outside the box curling the Lincolnshire side ahead.

Taylor told Devon Live that he thought that if a player was booked for the foul, then the player who was fouled was allowed to stay on the pitch. Huxtable reportedly said him and his fourth official had taken Collins off because it was a different phase of play.

The City manager went on to say, "That is what is difficult for me, we had an attack, then they had an attack and won a corner and Archie still had to go off, where do you draw the line?"

When asked, if taking Collins off had an impact on the goal, Taylor noted that he had moved Lee Martin to mark Collins' man, thus leaving Robinson unmarked to get a shot away on the edge of the area.

Taylor has written to the Football League asking them to provide clarification as to what is correct. City went on to lose the game 3-1 but remain top of League Two.

The Verdict

Taylor has every right to be frustrated, as the play had continued and Collins had carried on. The Football League should look to provide some clarification, not just to Taylor but for the other teams and referees across the EFL.