A CRUNCH promotion clash had to be abandoned when the referee left the football field in tears because a fan was hurling abuse at him.

Experienced referee Russell Tiffin came in for criticism after sending off one of the home side's players just before half time.

Mr Tiffin, a 41-year-old farmer, broke down when the supporter yelled that he hoped his farm was struck by foot-and-mouth disease.

The insult proved too much for the referee, who walked off the field, abandoning the match.

The Northern League division two clash between Esh Winning and Cumbrian side Penrith will go down in history as the first game to be called off because the referee was getting too much abuse from the crowd.

There were only 50 fans at the game, played at Esh Winning.

However, Mr Tipping, of Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, will be under greater pressure this weekend when he is assistant referee at the LDV Vans final between Brentford and Port Vale, at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Wednesday night's trouble started after Penrith took an early lead. Mr Tipping later sent off the home side's David Lee for a dangerous tackle.

Alan Morton, secretary of fifth-placed Esh Winning, said "It was foul-mouthed and very personal and was clearly upsetting him. At one point he actually broke down.

"The supporter who was causing the problem was told to leave and will not be welcome at the club again, it was an appalling incident."

Penrith secretary John Balmer said: "I think what really hurt him was the comment about foot-and-mouth disease.

"He is a farmer and the guy made a comment about his farm getting it, and said something about his family.

"We are in the middle of the foot-and-mouth crisis in Cumbria and we realise how much that must have hurt."

Chris Foote Wood, a soccer writer who reports on the Northern League, said: "It is the first time I have ever heard of anything like this happening in a game.

"Who knows what will happen if fans think they can get games abandoned just by shouting abuse at the ref."

Mr Tipping declined to comment last night.