Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough critical of referee Darren Drysdale following confrontation with Alan Judge

The Lincolnshire official has been charged by FA with misconduct for confronting player following the incident during Ipswich’s 0-0 draw with Northampton.

It left Clough recalling a similar incident involving the referee during his time in charge of Burton Albion.

“It is not the first time he has done that,” said Clough. “He did the same with Stephen Quinn when we were at Burton and we did not receive a public or private apology.

“I can’t think of a more damning image for the refereeing profession than a referee having to be restrained by players from confronting another player.

“Imagine if a player had done that to a referee and what the outcry would be now.

“Players lose their head sometimes with the competition they are facing and fighting tooth and nail, the referee has no opposition.

“He did exactly the same last season. I hope the FA will take last season’s offence into consideration in the same way they would for players and managers.”

Drysdale has since been removed from Saturday’s League Two fixture between Southend and Bolton.