Argyle manager is told to serve ban

BURTON Albion’s last-gasp equaliser against Plymouth Argyle not only cost the Pilgrims two points but it has led to manager Steven Schumacher being given a onematch touchline ban.

The Pilgrims’ boss has also been fined by the Football Association for breaching FA Rule E3 following the match at the Pirelli Stadium on November 19, after he admitted using abusive, insulting and improper words and behaviour towards a match official.

Schumacher will serve the touchline ban when League One leaders Argyle play Port Vale at Home Park on Friday, December 2 (7.45pm).

It is the first time that Schumacher has been in disciplinary trouble with the FA since he moved into management with Argyle last December. He was angered by the decision-making of first-year EFL referee Martin Woods throughout the game against Burton, but especially over an uncontested drop ball which went in Burton’s favour deep into added time and led to them making it 2-2.

There was a clash of heads between Argyle substitute Mickel Miller, and Tom Hamer just outside the penalty area. Schumacher was adamant a foul should have been awarded to Argyle but Woods, instead, decided there would be a drop ball.

Burton midfielder Terry Taylor was able to put in an unchallenged cross and three successive headers were won by the hosts inside the box before defender Adrian Mariappa applied the finishing touch.

Woods blew for full-time only seconds after play restarted, and Schumacher was still fuming about the events surrounding the equaliser when he spoke to the media following the match.

Schumacher said: “Some of the decisions that went against us late on in the game were crazy, especially for the drop ball. It should have definitely been a foul for us.”