A soccer match turned out to be distinctly unsporting when an angry team locked the referee in the dressing room.

The antics of Little Common Wheatsheaf in Bexhill left Neal Ager, 43, trapped for 15 minutes after the match.

The team was furious at losing in a penalty shootout, claiming Mr Ager should have blown the whistle before a full-time equaliser.

Mr Ager described them as "a bunch of morons".

He called police on his mobile phone but the players unlocked the door before officers arrived at Buxton Drive, Bexhill.

Mr Ager, from Hastings, had been refereeing the second round match in the Demarco Cup in which the Wheatsheaf team lost to Oddfellows by 3-1 in the penalty shootout.

The score had been 2-2 after extra time.

Mr Ager, who has been refereeing for five years, said: "I have never experienced anything like this before. I've had a bit of abuse but this was crazy.

"They locked me in and started swearing at me. It was a really unpleasant thing to do and I am trying to forget about it.

"I am not going to let a bunch of morons put me off."

Hastings and East Sussex football league secretary Robin Powell is full of praise for his referee.

He said: "It is unprecedented. If you look at the league's constitution there is nothing saying you must not lock the referee in a changing room.

"It's my eighth season as league secretary and I've never know anything like it. I have been in touch with the county FA and they are already investigating.

"As soon as they have had their say, the Sunday league will have ours. I hope the FA come down on Little Common Wheatsheaf like a ton of bricks."

Sussex FA chief executive Ken Benham revealed Wheatsheaf were serving a suspension at the time for money owed to the association and should not even have been playing.

Mr Benham said: "Charges have been levied and we are looking into it. We are awaiting the responses of the club and individuals involved before any action is taken."

Wheatsheaf club secretary Mark Carey said: "We are waiting for the county FA to set a date for a hearing.

"Whatever punishment is handed down to us, we will accept.

"I hope it was just one player and not a group. Hopefully the county FA will not punish the club. We would rather have a fine than be kicked out of the league."

A police spokeswoman said: "If Mr Ager wants to press charges, we will deal with it."