TWO men were arrested after a pitch invasion forced Didcot Town FC’s home match with Hereford to be abandoned moments before the final whistle.

An investigation is now under way after an away fan raced on to the pitch after his side scored an 88th-minute goal to go 2-1 up, in the Southern League Division 1 South & West clash.

The supporter confronted Didcot goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell and, as Didcot’s players rushed to intervene, more Hereford fans came on to the Loop Meadow Stadium’s playing surface.

Police were called and, after all supporters were removed from the pitch about 10 minutes later, referee Wayne Chalmers abandoned the game.

One supporter said he had never seen anything like it at a football match before, while Didcot’s vice-chairman called the incident ‘regrettable’ and revealed the club would meet tonight to discuss the matter.

Hereford’s manager described the scenes as ‘disheartening’, while the league must now decide if they are to take further action and whether the game will be replayed.

Didcot fan Ady Crook, 45, who lives on the Ladygrove estate and works as a storeman, was at the game with son Liam Crook, 22.

He said: “I have never seen anything like it - the Hereford fans were giving the Didcot goalie loads of stick.

“At 1-1 they lit a flare, and threw one on the pitch.

“Then when it went 2-1 one of the Hereford fans jumped the barrier and started confronting Didcot keeper Leigh Bedwell - he got very close to headbutting him.

“One of the Didcot players ran over to help and then more Hereford fans jumped the barrier and came on the pitch.

“They were winning the game so I think they have shot themselves in the foot.”

Paul Chalk, Didcot Town’s vice-chairman, said: “It was a regrettable incident and the club does not want to comment in detail until it has had an investigation.

“There will be a meeting at the club when we will review video footage and make sure that every protocol was followed correctly to make sure everyone was safe.

“As far as I am aware no one was hurt, which is a blessing.”

Mr Chalk added that the club would have to submit a report on the incident to the league.

He said: “The league will decide what will happen regarding the fixture - Didcot Town FC would be quite happy to play the fixture again - Hereford FC are a fantastic club.”

Thames Valley Police spokesman Jack Abell said: “Towards the end of the Didcot FC vs Hereford FC game a number of people ran onto the pitch.

“Two people were arrested in connection with this incident.

“A 19-year-old man from Hereford was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence, and a 19-year-old man from Hereford was arrested on suspicion of common assault.

“Both men have been released on bail, one until April 4 and the other until April 6.”

After the game Hereford FC boss Pete Beadle told herefordfc.co.uk: “Everything that has gone on at the end is the most disheartening thing because of what the players put in.

“I feel for the players - they put everything in for 87 minutes.

“It is disappointing for the lads because they have done so well.”

Mr Beadle said the club would wait to see if the 2-1 result would stand.

Hereford FC was founded in 2014 as a phoenix club for Hereford United, whose fans famously invaded the pitch at Edgar Street in 1972, during the team’s 2-1 win over Newcastle United in a third round FA Cup replay.

A statement from the club said: “It goes without saying that Hereford FC does not condone unlawful behaviour of any sort and club officials will be working very closely with the local police, Didcot Town, the stewards who were in attendance, the FA and the Southern League to establish the relevant facts, secure all available evidence and conduct a thorough investigation.”

The league, which will also investigate the incident, has not yet commented.