Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi was stretchered off after a sickening collision during their FA Cup tie against Exeter City.
In second half stoppage time, Awoniyi jumped up to contest a ball but it was punched to safety by Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.
But in the process of punching the ball, Whitworth caught Awoniyi square in the face as the pair fell to the ground.
Medical staff from both sets of teams raced onto the pitch to treat their respective players.
It quickly emerged Awoniyi required serious treatment when blood began pouring from his nose.
As Awoniyi received treatment, broadcasters ITV showed images of the crowd and players from both teams receiving tactical instructions.
The Nigerian forward was eventually loaded onto a stretcher and taken from the field as fans at St James’ Park applauded him off the field.
The seriousness of Awoniyi’s injury isn’t clear but Forest sent their best wishes to the player when Chris Wood came on for him.
Forest said in a post on X: “Woody replaces Taiwo who is on the end of a nasty aerial collision. Our thoughts are with you, T.”
Awoniyi’s incident came near the end of what was a pulsating fourth round tie in regular time.
League One outfit Exeter took a shock lead after just five minutes when Josh Magennis scored.
Heavy favourites Forest equalised in the 10th minute through Ramon Sosa before Awoniyi nudged the visitors in front just before half-time.
However, Magennis levelled the score in the 50th minute to send Exeter’s supporters delirious.
Unfortunately the hosts were reduced to ten men in the 87th minute after Ed Turns raised his studs in a challenge gone wrong on Morgan Gibbs-White.
Despite the extra man, Forest were unable to find a winner in regular time.
More to follow…