own Stoke City supporters following the team's disappointing 4-1 home loss to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

The incident occurred at the end of the match as hundred of fans staged a sit-down protest in the middle of the field.

Lightbourne's close encounter with the angry fan made front page news in the local newspaper, the Sentinel Editorial, under the headline "TV hunt after star attacked''. Stoke City FC, Police and the Football Association are investigating the matter.

Yesterday, Lightbourne confirmed the incident, describing it as "probably the worst I've ever experienced''. However, he also insisted he was putting it behind him and looking forward to the team's next match, tomorrow night at home to struggling Wycombe Wanderers.

"I'm not making a big thing about it but the club is going to look at video evidence and hopefully someone can identify the person,'' said Lightbourne when contacted at home.

"There is no excuse for this, if they catch him and ban him for life he deserves it.'' The near-attack happened when the players were leaving the pitch and a fan came up to speak to Lightbourne about the team's performance.

"At the end of the game they (fans) had a protest and fans came onto the pitch,'' explained Lightbourne. "I was going off the pitch as normal and we had a chat as I was going off.

"He asked me what was happening to the team, from being top of the division, and I just said `it's been a bad day' and left it at that. When I was walking away from him he tried to take a swing at me but was nowhere close to hitting me.

"I don't know if he targeted me particularly, I didn't get into that with him.'' Stoke, trying to qualify for a promotion play-off (top six) place in the Second Division, were leading 1-0 at the half on a goal by Peter Thorne. After Rovers equalised, Stoke missed a penalty which would have made it 2-1 and Rovers made them pay by scoring three more goals in the second half.

"They clapped us off at half-time but the second half was a different story,'' said Lightbourne, who has since received letters of support from fans.

"I got a few letters from fans today, which was very nice, saying they were sorry for what happened on the weekend.

"I don't see that person as a real supporter. Fans who come every week deal with it through thick and thin.'' Lightbourne admitted it had been a disappointing season for the club who were relegated last year. At one stage this season they were leading the Second Division and looking a sure bet for promotion.

"After starting the season so well, it doesn't even look like we're going to make a play-off spot,'' admitted the striker.

Lightbourne dispelled a fan's suggestion in the Stoke newspaper that the players were not even trying.

"You couldn't put that (defeat) down to players not trying, we just made some bad mistakes,'' Lightbourne stated.

Bob Shenton, a Stoke supporter for 40 years, said in the article: "Stoke's performance was embarrassing. In the past we have stuck up for the side, but we are running out of excuses now.'' The club, along with Police, will view closed circuit TV footage to try to identify the culprit.

Club chief executive Jez Mixey told reporters: "We have established that a punch was thrown at the player and we will be in consultation with the police to study CCTV camera footage to see if we can get a picture of this person.

"The player was not injured and it will not affect him but we are outraged.

This person has brought shame on Stoke City.

"I am calling on the supporters to help us identify this person because I know the vast majority will be appalled by this person's actions.''