DOVER Athleic goalkeeper Paul Hyde has denied accusations that he made racist comments and spat at a Worcester player after Whites’ 1-0 win last Saturday.

Hyde, who became assistant manager at Crabble last summer, was involved in a heated exchange with City’s black striker Paul Carty in the closing stages of the match.

Postings on the Worcester City and Dover Athletic websites claimed that Hyde hurled racist insults at Carty and spat at the player.

But Hyde said: “One lad (Carty) made a two-footed tackle on me and squared up to me, and words were exchanged. He’s no angel.

“There has been no official complaint and if the referee had heard anything he would have sent me off.”

Regarding the spitting allegations, Hyde said: “That is complete and utter rubbish. Tt’s all fabrication and nothing will come of it. Let’s move on.

“Worcester were sulking because they were losing. I went up to Carty to shake his hand at the end of the game but he just wanted to fight.”

However, Worcester’s assistant manager Mick Tuohy branded Hyde's alleged behaviour as ‘disgraceful’. He added: “It appears that the Dover goalkeeper made racist comments and also spat at Paul Carty. If the referee had heard them then he would have been quite rightly sent off.”

Worcester lodged a complaint after the game with referee Stephen Castle and now Hyde must wait to hear if the league decide to investigate the allegations.