League Two match suspended as players taken off field after unusual PA announcement

League Two football returned on Saturday, with 12 matches scheduled across the afternoon. But Shrewsbury's clash with Bromley was temporarily suspended during the first half as an official had to be changed. And the PA announcer was forced to ask if there was a qualified referee sitting in the stands.

League Two fans were able to watch their teams in league action for the first time since May as the new season got up and running. There were a host of mouthwatering clashes, with Salford City - who are owned by a group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville - hosting Crewe Alexandra. Elsewhere, Walsall welcomed Ian Holloway's Swindon to the west Midlands. But across in Shrewsbury, the action wasn't flowing quite so freely.

Just after the halfway point of the first half, one of the assistant referees sustained an injury and was unable to continue.

The fourth official had to replace the assistant referee and was spotted warming up on the sidelines ready to step in.

But there was no one in place to take on the fourth official duties, so the PA announcer had to request the help of a qualified referee from those in attendance.

The players ultimately left the pitch and returned to the dressing rooms, while the search continued. And the match finally resumed more than 10 minutes after the initial pause in play, with a new fourth official in place.

Shrewsbury returned to the fourth tier of English football after being relegated from League One last season.

The Shrews finished rock bottom of the table after winning just eight of their 46 matches, with Crawley, Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United also dropping down a division.

Bromley, meanwhile, enjoyed a decent campaign in League Two last time around as they finished 11th in the table after winning 17 matches.

Neither side are expected to compete for promotion this season, with MK Dons entering the new campaign as the favourites to win the title.

And ahead of the season-opener, Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton discussed his side's transfer hopes as he told BBC Shropshire: "Certainly towards the end of the window things naturally happen.

"If things do happen and players leave to get minutes at other clubs, then obviously we'll look to get fresh impetus into the group.

"You've always got to be prepared for players to leave - you might even get bids come in for your players - but I think between now and 2 September (the transfer deadline) I don't see massive movement - but I think there will be a bit to allow us to do some work."