ALTRINCHAM FC's high profile friendly against Manchester United reserves was abandoned after a Robins player was attacked by a drunken fan.

Greg Young was physically confronted by a United supporter during a mass pitch invasion five minutes before the end of the game.

It meant the game was called to a premature halt with the visitors' young side leading 3-0.

The incident capped an afternoon of trouble at Moss Lane.

Before kick off a female employee of the club had been attacked by a visiting supporter who had attempted to gain entry to the ground without paying.

Then, at half time, rowdy fans caused damage to the Moss Lane bar, climbing on tables and throwing bottles and glasses through the air.

A large amount of alcohol was also stolen from an off-licence on Moss Lane opposite the ground after it was raided by a group of youths. Threshers are now considering closing the shop on matchdays, depending on who Altrincham are playing.

As of yet, no arrests have been made.

Altrincham vice chairman Grahame Rowley said the incident was among the worst he had seen at Moss Lane.

"I have never been so embarrassed in my life," said Rowley.

"It's just sad to see, it was like the kind of thing that used to go on in the 1980s.

There's so much difference between this year's game with United and last year's game. I don't know where this troublemaking element came from.

"This was a sponsors' open day for us but who would want to sponsor the club after seeing scenes like this, I know I wouldn't."

Although trouble began before the game, incidents escalated during the second half when visiting supporters in the Golf Road End began to climb on safety barriers and let off smoke bombs.

Then, five minutes before the end, a large group of fans made their way onto the pitch, one of them confronting Young before shoving the defender in his chest.

Some of Young's Altrincham teammates quickly came to his aid before the troublemakers dispersed after the arrival of police.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman added: "We were informed at 3.45pm of a small number of drunken fans who had attended a friendly football game.

"Officers did attend and at that point spirits were deemed OK.

"But a pitch invasion occured, stewards couldn't deal with it and police support was called for.

"By the time police arrived at the scene, the fans had dispersed into the streets of Altrincham. No arrests were made."

Despite the incident, Tuesday's friendly against FC United of Manchester will go ahead as scheduled.

In the aftermath of Saturday's game, the board had originally considered calling off the friendly to avoid the potential for any further crowd trouble.

The Unibond Premier side are expected to bring a large following with them to Moss Lane and there was crowd trouble in the previous meeting between the two teams when fighting broke out on the terraces.

A statement released by the club's board said: "The events at Moss Lane on Saturday afternoon took everyone by surprise and we would like to thank our stewards for the calm way in which they handled a very difficult situation.

"The behaviour of these individuals was an embarrassment to both clubs and the vast majority in attendance and whilst no arrests were made, we have done everything that we can to support the police in providing film and photographic evidence of the scenes that ultimately led to the abandonment of the game.

"We have been in discussion today with representatives of our next opponents FC United of Manchester and can confirm that, subject to gaining police consent, we will be going ahead with the game.

"Altrincham and FC United of Manchester will be working together to ensure that the security measures in place for this game provide a safe environment for supporters of each club."

Do you have photographs or video footage from the events at Saturday's game? Email us or contact the newsdesk on 0161 908 3380.