Weaver fumes at horror tackle on Harrogate Town midfielder Andy Gascoigne

Weaver’s worst fears were confirmed after x-rays showed Gascoigne had broken two bones in his leg following a high lunging tackle by Chorley’s captain Andy Teague.

Gascoigne smashed home a ninth-minute penalty to start an impressive win for Town but his afternoon was ended on 18 minutes.

Weaver said: “It was an outstanding performance from the lads but when you saw the tackle, it was a leg breaker and it’s proven to be the case.

“It puts a massive dampener on what should have been a fine day for us.”

Teague was shown a straight red card following the rash tackle and will serve a customary three-match suspension but Weaver said no punishment would serve a purpose big enough.

The Town manager let rip at the tackle and said it was “as bad as I have seen”.

Weaver said: “I don’t know what happened to Teague today. He went into another bad tackle before that on Jack (Emmett) and got away with it.

“The tackle on Gascoigne will probably haunt the lad for the rest of his life not just the rest of his career.

“I spoke to the (referee’s) assessor afterwards and he said it was by far the worst tackle he has seen on a football pitch.

“I saw a lad break his leg, Ian Knight, when I was a supporter at Sheffield Wednesday, that was as bad, and that was appalling.

“I thought he (Teague) was meant to be an honest lad but honest lads don’t go into tackles like that. He slowed up, and certainly looked after himself so he wasn’t going to get hurt.

“It was miles over the top of the ball, and he’s smashed the living daylights out of him.

“The referee did everything he could do in sending him off. But a three match ban would just be a laugh really.

“The lad has to live with himself, and that’s probably the worst punishment, if he’s got a conscience.”

Gascoigne has more than impressed since signing for Town over the Christmas period and has bagged five goals in six appearances.

Those goals have ended any relegation fears the Town supporters had, and have led the Wetherby Roaders to four wins in their last five games.

Weaver said Gascoigne would be given all the resources available to the club to help his recovery, just like striker Ashley Worsfold when he suffered a similar injury at the end of pre-season.

“Gaz was in absolute turmoil after,” Weaver added.

“The physio (Rachel Davis) has done an excellent job. We just have to look after the lad and make sure he comes back.

“In the four wins we have had, he’s scored the first goal in each. That’s how important he has been. It’s a huge loss.

“It’s a long way back. But we will be doing everything in our powers to be get the best treatment.

“We will make sure he stays in yellow and black colours and make sure we get the best out of him again on the football pitch.”

Read the match report: Harrogate Town 4-1 Chorley