Linesman Peter Sousa was left writhing in pain after he was floored by a brutal blow to the back of the head from Dandy Town centre-half Troy Durham at Frog Lane Field yesterday.

And last night Dandy Town were quick to react, calling an emergency meeting at which a decision was reportedly made to suspend the player for 10 years.

Western Stars president Elroy Ratteray would not confirm that disciplinary action had been taken, but described the incident as "unfortunate''.

However, another club source confirmed the ban had been imposed.

"I definitely do not condone anything like that and I can assure you that action will be taken against the player at the earliest possible moment,'' said Ratteray.

The cowardly attack came after Durham had been sent off by referee Rex Osborne for apparent use of foul language shortly after he had been booked for arguing.

Fans watched in disbelief as Sousa fell to the ground holding his head in obvious pain as Durham boldly rode his motorcycle to the exit and out of the ground.

The incident occurred about 15 seconds before the interval of a game played in a steady downpour.

Officials would not comment on the matter afterwards but it appeared that Durham was irritated by Sousa's decision to notify Osborne that he had used foul language following a raid on Colts goal.

Osborne immediately showed Durham the red card. The player was seen to grab the key to the dressing room and quietly head in that direction.

But within five minutes he returned fully dressed on his motorcycle, calmly placed it on its stand behind the Town bench and walked a few feet before firing the punch that felled Sousa.

Although Durham carried a helmet in one hand, it's understood he used only his first and not the helmet during the attack.

Neither Dandy Town nor Devonshire Colts' players or officials on the bench would comment on the matter in detail.

Town coach Mark Trott said it was "unfortunate,'' adding: "My executive committee will be looking into the incident, that's all I can say.'' Faced with an option to abandon the match, referee Osborne consulted Sousa and second linesman Orel Swan before deciding to continue after a stoppage of about six minutes.

Last night Sousa told The Royal Gazette he had not ruled out pressing assault charges against Durham.

He said he would wait until the Bermuda Football Association had considered the matter.

"As you know I have a number of options, and I am leaving them open right now.'' Sousa said the blow to his head had taken him completely by surprise.

Colts were leading at the time thanks to a goal by Jahmah Samuels after 10 minutes when he turned in a fine cross from Keishon Smith.

But Dandy Town remained dangerous and had little difficulty in advancing deep into their opponents territory.

They forced four consecutive corners after 25 minutes and scared Colts five minutes later when Carlos Smith struck the bar with a good shot from just inside the box Walter Musson followed up by heading a corner by Wylie Rudo just over the goal.

After an adventurous first half, Town returned after the break just as competitive despite being a man short with the departure of Durham.

Craig Smith fired a free kick at Cymande Davis in the Town goal early and skipper Lloyd Christopher cleared a ball while on his goal line.

But an equaliser always seemed imminent. And Town got the deserved goal after 76 minutes when substitute Diallo Sharieff headed home from a corner.

Town continued to pressure their opponents and should have taken the lead after 84 minutes but Carlos Smith was unable to put the ball home from close range -- instead firing his shot high over the goal.

Devonshire Colts: R.Darrell; M.Hollis, D.Wright, J.Samuels, A.Wilson; R.Jones, K.Smith, D.Williams; M.Lewis, E.Weldon, C.Smith.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; L.Christopher, W.Campbell, T.Durham, W.Rudo, W.Musson; D.Boyles, T.Lewis (R.Parsons, 83 mins), A.Russell (D.Sharieff, 68 mins); C.Smith, D.Simons.

Referee: Rex Osborne Men of the match: Jahmah Samuels (Colts); Devarr Boyles (Dandy Town).

TROY DURHAM -- facing a lengthy suspension following his attack on linesman Peter Sousa.