Referee calls half-time two minutes early before U-turn after furious player backlash

EFL referee Isaac Searle blew for half-time two minutes early during a League Two match between Oldham Athletic and Salford City at Boundary Park. Searle blew his whistle only two minutes into the allocated four minutes of stoppage time as Mathew Hudson took a goal kick. Oldham, trailing 2-1 at the time, reacted furiously alongside Salford players.

Following complaints from players including Jamie Robson, Keenan Appiah-Forson, and Mike Fondop, Searle consulted with assistant referees and fourth official Sebastian Stockbridge. After the brief discussion, players were called back from the tunnel, ground staff removed entertainment equipment, and the remaining 90 seconds of the half were played out.