Watch: Referee Drysdale squares up to Town midfielder Judge

The Irishman, a second-half substitute at Portman Road, went down in the box under Peter Kioso’s challenge during the final 10 minutes of the game but, instead of pointing to the spot the referee penalised the Ipswich Town midfielder for diving.

Alan Judge goes down in the area after contact from . (Image: Steve Waller)

Judge’s protestations led to referee Drysdale leaning his head into the playmaker’s as team-mates crowded round protesting for a penalty. Northampton players helped push the referee away as he held up the yellow card.

Judge walked away from the incident but continued his protests, before manager Paul Lambert approached the officials at the end of the contest to have his say.

Alan Judge has words with referee Darren Drysdale after being denied a penalty. (Image: Steve Waller)

Drysdale and his assistants were held in the centre of the field before leaving the pitch once the Town boss and No.2 Stuart Taylor were themselves heading towards the tunnel.

Discussing the penalty incident, Lambert said: "I thought we should have had a penalty with Judgey’s one. I’ve seen it back and I think he gets caught with the trailing leg."

Former referee Mark Halsey expects the incident to be investigated by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

“Darren Drysdale showed a lack of self-control when he squared up to Ipswich's Alan Judge,” Halsey told The Sun.

“Irrespective of what has gone before in the match, referees should never put themselves in that position.

“Discipline is vital for an official and the footage and pictures from Portman Road did not look good as players from both teams ushered the experienced Drysdale away.

“I'm sure the PGMOL will conduct an investigation into what happened and it will be interesting to see if Ipswich now make a complaint to the EFL.”

The game at Portman Road ended in a 0-0 draw, with the Blues 11th in League One.