Port Vale: League One club 'condemn' fan running on to pitch to confront referee

The Port Vale fan (second right) was eventually held back by security staff and Port Vale boss Andy Crosby (third right)

Port Vale have said they "condemn the actions of the individual who entered the field of play" after a fan ran across the pitch to get to the referee in their home defeat by Portsmouth.

Play was briefly halted late on after referee Craig Hicks had to leave the field in order to avoid the fan.

Hicks had given Pompey a late penalty, scored by Colby Bishop, minutes before.

"We remind all supporters that entering the field of play is a criminal offence," Vale said in a statement.

"We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the matter and the individual is dealt with with a zero tolerance approach."

Pompey won the game 1-0 to retain their place at the top of League One, while Vale's defeat left them only one place above the relegation zone following a run of one win in six games.

A statement released jointly by the English Football League (EFL) and Professional Games Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) read: "We are appalled by the incident in today's League One fixture between Port Vale and Portsmouth which saw referee Craig Hicks chased off the field of play and condemn the mindless actions of the individual involved.

"Match officials should never feel threatened for their safety when playing a pivotal role in the staging of games in our competitions.

"We will provide our full support to Craig and his team alongside Port Vale and the relevant authorities as they seek to bring this individual to justice."