Referee Keith Hill today defended the controversial decisions which saw seven players booked and two of them sent-off in Colchester United's 1-0 win over Wycombe.

Lomana Tresor Lua Lua came off the bench at Layer Road to settle the match with a goal in the 81st minute but it was the performance of the referee which came under closest scrutiny.

Hill, who showed the red card to Wycombe midfielders Michael Simpson and Steve Brown either side of half-time, was condemned by both managers.

But the Royston offical, who has been on the Football League list for three seasons, stood by his decisions and said: "I applied the letter of the law when the occasion demanded it.

"I was happy with every decision I made and I stand by them all. People can interpret my performance in any way they choose but I am paid to apply the laws of the game.

"The cautions were issued because they needed to be and I was left with no alternative under the rules but to send the Wycombe players from the field of play."

But U's boss Steve Whitton admitted: "I feel sorry for their manager Lawrie Sanchez after refereeing like that. No-one wants to see the game end up as five-a-sides but that's what will happen if referees are as strict as that.

"There wasn't one bad tackle all night and yet there were two sent-off and any number of players booked.

"If they continue to apply the letter of the law in every instance then we've got no chance. There are too many grey areas in the game and it's time referees started using common sense."

Wycombe boss Sanchez added: "We might as well all turn it in if referees are going to behave like that. His performance was a joke."

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