SALFORD CITY could be without their management duo for Friday’s FA Cup tie with Hartlepool United.

Joint managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson were sent from the technical area to the stand during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Grantham Town.

And Johnson claimed the official insisted his agenda was to make sure the managers wouldn’t be on the touchlines for the televised game.

The incident arose after Salford expressed concern over how long it was taking for the matchball to be returned into play each time it went out of play , and a lack of another matchball to speed the game up.

Any further punishment will depend on the nature of the referee's report which will be filed by Tuesday.

“He asked me to the leave the pitch, there was no swearing, or raised voices – we were trying to have a conversation,’’ said Johnson.

“He then came over to Bernard and told him he would make sure me and Bernard would be banned for Friday night’s game. So I don’t know where that has come from or why. We were genuinely baffled.

“We wanted to know what there was only one football being used all game and it was taking time to get a ball back on.

“We asked at half-time, we then asked for a chat and he decided enough was enough.

“It was uncalled for. You just hope a referee will be sensible.’’

Salford beat Notts County in the last round and expectations are high for the sold-out tie at Moor Lane, but they struggled to cope with the windy conditions at Grantham on Saturday.

“We lost a game, our fourth defeat. We last lost and went nine unbeaten and we expect a reaction,’’ added Johnson.

“There’s a lot of pressure off us on Friday in the FA Cup.

“We are looking forward to it. We won’t change too much from last time, when we got a great win.

“They (Hartlepool) came against Mickelover and watched us and if they were at Grantham then they will realise we can’t play against the conditions – maybe they will bring a wind machine with them on Friday!’’

Pools will be without winger Kai Naismith on Friday, as he is cup tied having appeared as a Portsmouth substitute in the last round. He can’t play against his parent club in Pools’ next League Two game on December 12.