STOURBRIDGE were victims of mistaken identity away at Sale after a bizarre intervention resulted in a red card for the wrong man.

The midlanders were second to Sale in National League Two (north) at the start of the clash and a tough contest was expected.

Sale scored after two minutes when Joe Kelly touched down from a driving maul and Chris Johnson converted.

Shortly after, an off-the-ball between Stour's Chad Thorne and a Sale forward seemed to be nothing unusual however when another Stourbridge player became involved, referee Ben Davis decided tough action was required.

Following discussion with his assistant Davis sent off Stour skipper Sam Pailor.

A Sale photographer then told the touch judge the wrong player had been identified and Davis rescinded Pailor's red card and Thorne was dismissed.

While the Stourbridge contingent say it was impossible for Thorne to have carried out the red card offence as he was prone on the ground and could not have carried it out.

Following the dismissal, Stourbridge claim following an unprecedented and inappropriate intervention from a cameraman, they were then reduced to 13 men for 10 minutes while forward Stef Thorp was off the pitch for treatment to a head wound.

The deficit was too much and Sale landed 10 points through a Chris Johnson penalty and later conversion of Jake Barron’s try two minutes later.

Stour rallied and threatened scores of their own while full back Nick David battled hard to keep Sale out.

On the half hour mark the home side scored their third try, from a penalty lineout Sale secured the ball and their Man of the Match, Adam Aigbokhae crashed over towards the left side of the posts, Johnson’s conversion attempt hit the RH upright.

There were no further scores to make the half time tally 22-0.

Powerful Stour defence denied Sale territory and possession in the second half , the tireless Chris Scott repeatedly regained the ball.

The visitors were only denied points on 58 minutes when Pailor was denied a try by being held up having crossed the goal line after lineout and scrum pressure.

Stour were again down to 13 after Jack Spencer had to leave the pitch following repeated injury stoppages.

With 30 seconds to go their heroic defence finally gave way, a chip kick was passed inside for Chris Mayor to score and Johnson converted with the last action of the match to make the result 29-0.

Next week Stour are back on home ground to face Sheffield Tigers at an earlier kick off time of 1pm.