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Newcastle players and fans left totally bemused after referee Keith Stroud rules out Matt Ritchie's penalty and awards free-kick to Burton

Referee Keith Stroud left 45,000 fans, 22 players and two managers scratching their heads after making an unusual decision at St James' Park on Wednesday.

The official cancelled out Matt Ritchie's penalty for an infringement midway through the first half of Newcastle's clash with Burton... but instead of insisting on a re-take awarded a free-kick to the visitors around a yard from the spot.

That left boss Rafa Benitez it utter disbelief on the touchline and a vocal Gallowgate crowd making their disdain for the man in black clearly known.

Matt Ritchie can't believe his penalty has been disallowed and a free-kick awarded against him
Matt Ritchie can't believe his penalty has been disallowed and a free-kick awarded against him

FA rules state that a successfully converted penalty can only be overturned, and a free-kick awarded to the opposition, for one of three reasons.