Skye player Calum Gibb was red-carded for violent conduct in their MacTavish Cup tie at Strathpeffer – although he was not playing at the time.
The curious incident happened five minutes from the end of the islanders’ 3-2 defeat by Caberfeidh.
Caberfeidh manager Jodi Gorski said: “It was bizarre.
“Our player Craig Morrison’s stick was being held and as he tried to get it loose he swung his stick and it hit his opponent in the stomach.
“Then this Skye lad came charging off their substitutes bench and hit Craig with his stick.”
Both Morrison and Gibb received straight red cards from referee Calum Girvan and, seconds after play restarted, Skye were awarded a penalty.
Jordan Murchison could have taken the tie in to extra time but instead he fired the ball over the bar.
Caberfeidh, who now visit the winners of this weekend’s delayed Fort William versus Newtonmore tie, remain unbeaten after an excellent match in which National Division leaders Skye sustained their first defeat.
“It was very competitive, with both teams playing some good stuff and it’s a pity the red cards will overshadow things,” said Gorski.
“We got off to a flying start and led by three goals but Skye came back at us strongly and it was a tight finish.
“I was delighted that a key goal came from teenager Ben Macdonald. He scored in a pre-season friendly against Kingussie but this was his first competitive goal for us.”
Kevin Bartlett – Craig Morrison’s cousin – hit a double as the Castle Leod men were 3-0 up after 16 minutes. James Pringle pulled one back before half-time, then Murchison netted Skye’s second early in the second period.
