DON'T KICK IT OUT

Shire players have been issued with clear instructions not to kick the ball out of play to allow treatment for injured opponents during a game.

It follows the controversy at Station Park when Forfar Athletic substitute Calum Smith kept possession of the ball after his own keeper had tried to return it to Shire following treatment to one of the home players.

Smith raced through on goal and only a good save from Mark Peat stopped him scoring. Shire were leading 2-0 at the time and there were still ten minutes to go.

"From now on we will take the view that it up to the referee alone to stop the game for injuries," said Shire coach Jim McInally.

"I  attended a meeting a few weeks ago at Hampden Park with Don McVicar and we were told it was the referee's responsibility to stop the game.

"Maybe I  should have made that clearer to the players at the time, but they now know not to do it again.

"It may seem a bit unsporting, but football is a ruthless business at times. If Forfar had scored they would have had a foothold in the game and the last few minutes might have been tricky for us."

The incident led to angry words being exchanged between Smith and Shire captain, David King and a brief melee broke out in which three players were cautioned by the referee.