ANGRY Accrington Stanley fans have slammed Lincoln City FC following an incident between Reds' supporters and security guards at Saturday's away match.

Dozens of Stanley supporters had travelled in a minibus to Lincoln's Sincil Bank stadium to watch the game.

Stanley fans said that although the Reds lost 2-0 the atmosphere during the game remained friendly.

But the mood turned sour when they left the ground to return to their minibus.

One fan, Neil Broadhurst of George Street, Great Harwood, said: "We had started to walk back towards our minibus when the trouble started. One of our guys had found a steward's waistcoat and was wearing it for about two minutes.

"As he took it off, the security guards charged towards him and started punching and dragging him to the floor.

"This made the rest of us move towards him to get him off the floor and on to our bus. Then the guards turned on us.

"They were asked several times why they weren't displaying their Security Industry Authority (SIA) badges and replied with a volley of foul language that cannot be printed in a newspaper.

"Were these security guards just looking for trouble?

"For the sake of a waistcoat, why didn't they just ask for it back instead of going in heavy-handed?

"This is the worst security I have seen at an away game and I am sure I am not the only Stanley fan at Lincoln on Saturday who agrees with that."

A Stanley spokesman said: "This has not been raised with the club, but if anyone saw anything untoward at the match we would urge them to let us know and we will certainly follow it up."

A spokesman for Lincoln City FC said: "While the incident is currently under investigation by Lincolnshire Police, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

"Lincoln City Football Club has spoken directly with Accrington Stanley and when the offenders can be fully identified further action will be taken."