Peter Browning, the former Farnham Town manager, made a dramatic return to the Memorial Ground.

It was the reluctance of the present Sandhurst boss to leave the ground that resulted in the game being abandoned after 55 minutes on Thursday last week.

The bizarre sequence of events started when Browning, watching the game from 'the pen' and fuming over an earlier decision, angrily booted the ball across the pitch.

Referee Peter Harris may have thought the ball was coming in his direction. Anyway, he immediately came to the dug-out and gave Browning an ultimatum.

"He said he was ejecting me from the ground and if I didn't go he would abandon the game," Browning told The Herald.

Browning, who insists he had said nothing untoward to the official, declined to leave and Mr Harris speedily carried out his threat, leaving players on both sides bemused.

The management committee of the Combined Counties League have already discussed the affair and their comments, plus the referee's report, have been lodged with the Berks and Bucks FA which adjudicates on disciplinary matters concerning Sandhurst.

They could award the game and points to Farnham, with a punishment for Browning. If they decide in his favour, the game will have to be replayed – something both clubs could do without this weather-hit season.

If found guilty, Browning is certain to appeal and it could be a prolonged business.

Bottom side Farnham could certainly do with the points, but manager Andy Nunn had sympathy for Browning, an old friend and team-mate. "It seemed to be a complete impasse between Peter and the referee. I've never seen anything like it on the football field," said the former Wokingham and Aldershot player. "It was a bit like, it's my ball, I'll take it home."

Both managers agreed that it had not been a dirty game, despite a red card for Sandhurst's Howard Bristow. Both thought the referee may have been expecting trouble in a local derby involving several ex-Farnham players on the Sandhurst side.

Farnham had held their own against Sandhurst in an even game and were unlucky to fall behind when Danny Moore scored an excellent goal – unfortunately into his own net.

Bristow received a straight red card early in the second half after following in late on Farnham goalkeeper Matt Collins who escaped injury. But this was the only bad foul of the game.

Five minutes later, Browning, a seasoned player who spent most of his 20-year career with Farnham, committed his rash act. Whether the punishment fitted the crime or not remains to be seen.

"Of course I feel embarrassed," said Browning, who has the backing of his club. "I know what goes into staging a midweek game."

l Farnham lost 2-1 at Bedfont on Saturday. Again, Farnham played some good football and, after a first-half stalemate, took the lead with a goal by Scott Baker, promoted from the reserves.

But, true to form, Town could not sustain their efforts. Bedfont equalised and then snatched the points with a late winner.

Farnham are away to Raynes Park Vale this Saturday, with the Reserves taking on Wallingford at the Memorial Ground (3 pm).

On Tuesday, Farnham travel to Southall.