Wisbech boss Roy McManus revealed that he took a great deal of personal satisfaction from wrecking Wroxham's Ridgeons Premier title bid.

By ADAM LAZZARI

Wisbech boss Roy McManus revealed that he took a great deal of personal satisfaction from wrecking Wroxham's Ridgeons Premier title bid.

Wroxham visited Harwich & Parkeston last night knowing it was win or bust after the weekend 1-1 Fenland Park draw marred by a spat between McManus and Yachtsmen's boss Damian Hilton.

Officials had to separate both managers and the match was stopped for approximately 10 minutes when a heated verbal exchange between McManus and Wroxham boss Damian Hilton broke out midway through the first half.

McManus said: “Our full-back Lewis Cook went to take a throw-in and the Wroxham player just stood on the line and wouldn't let him take it. He's supposed to stand two yards away. Lewis just ran straight at him and took the throw and, unsurprisingly he caught the Wroxham player in the face with his hand.

“Their manager started hurling abuse at Lewis so I stepped in and told him, 'what is he supposed to do.' Hilton then started being abusive towards myself and the referee and I thought he was going to get sent off. I told him he's a disgrace because he can't even show respect to the officials.”

Wisbech triumped 2-0 at Wroxham in December and McManus admitted he was delighted to come out on top in their league double header.

“Wroxham play some lovely football but they've had problems with discipline all season,” he said. “I made sure that none of my bench went over to shake their hands after the match. The four points we've taken off them this season have probably cost them the title and that gives me a great deal of pleasure when they act like that.”

The match also ended in ugly scenes when a Wroxham player allegedly took a swing at Wisbech striker Billy Smith immediately after the final whistle.

Several of the visiting players and supporters had been upset at what they saw as Smith's time-wasting tactics when he prevented a Wroxham player from taking a free-kick by standing over the ball in injury time.

McManus said: “I rushed on to the pitch and pulled Billy away because I saw he was going to retaliate and I didn't want him to get in trouble. He thanked me for that the next day.”