York City fans have accused Humberside Police of "hugely heavy-handed" behaviour during and after the last game of the season.

City played Scunthorpe at the Lincolnshire club's Glanford Park ground last Saturday.

Rival fans clashed in the town centre before the game, and a small number of arrests were made, a police spokeswoman said.

But supporters said that during the game, 23 officers in full riot gear formed a line in front of the York end.

Officers had their batons drawn and were backed by dog handlers, the fans claimed.

Humberside Police said it "makes no apologies" for its policing at the match.

A force spokeswoman said the approach was based on intelligence which indicated York fans had planned to invade the Scunthorpe end of the ground.

But supporter Alan Fairley, of Sutton-on-the Forest, said: "Riot police in full gear, wearing masks with only the eyes showing, helmets on, visors down, CS gas canisters and dogs on chains - could it be the Middle East or the meeting of the financial heads of state in America? No, it was a Third Division football match.

"I was absolutely disgusted and want to know why perfectly normal law-abiding citizens were subjected to this horrendous, hugely heavy-handed behaviour."

Sophie MacGill, spokeswoman for the York City Supporter's Trust, said: "It was definitely heavy-handed. York fans are generally pretty harmless.

"When we came out of the ground the Scunthorpe fans were taking the brunt of it. Mounted officers were whacking people with batons. The whole thing was really unpleasant to see."

A long-term York fan, who asked not to be named, said the town centre incident looked worse than it was.

About 100 fans were involved, he said, but it lasted less than 90 seconds.

"The way the police were at the ground was over the top. There was trouble after in the car park but it was only handbags."

The police spokeswoman added: "Two mounted officers dealt with a fight outside. They would have used their judgement whether to draw batons for their or the horse's protection.

"Inside the ground, our intelligence about the pitch invasion was very reliable. The high-visibility presence prevented what could have been a very serious incident.

"We do not regret the way we policed the match.

"The level of cover was deemed appropriate by the match day commander."

richard.edwards@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 15:04 Tuesday, April 23, 2002