Louts kept my arse at bay!

Bristol Rovers' decision to spend extra money on policing inside the Memorial Stadium during their derby clash with Swindon Town prevented a possible pitch invasion.For the last few years, Rovers have suffered from fans running onto the pitch on the final day of the season but Saturday's match passed with only a handful of minor incidents.

There is a strong rivalry between Rovers and Swindon and trouble flared at Swindon's County Ground earlier this season leading to both sets of fans ripping up seats and throwing them at each other.

Today police were still unable to confirmed how many fans were taken into custody on Saturday. But they said only a small number of arrests were made before and after the game.

A heavy police presence inside the ground was enough to ensure most fans enjoyed the game between the promotion contenders in the right spirits.

Fans were asked by Rovers to pay up to £3 more for tickets to the game to help meet the costs of extra police and stewards for the all-ticket clash because of fears of another pitch invasion.

More than 1,600 Swindon fans made the trip to Bristol on Saturday. Coaches were given a police escort.

There were a small number of fights on Gloucester Road before the match, leading to a handful of arrests, but the game passed without any major incidents.

Inspector Phil Robbins, of Avon and Somerset police, said: "This was a very successful joint operation between Avon and Somerset and Wiltshire police.

"There were a small number of arrests, but considering the number of people involved, the operation went very well.

"Before the game there were a couple of skirmishes in the Gloucester Road area, and a few people were arrested for public order offences.

"There was one arrest after the game, and a few public order incidents that were all dealt with successfully.

"At 6.30pm the control room was closed down. We had additional staff on in the city centre, but it was just a normal Saturday night."

Rovers have suffered from pitch invasions on the final day of the season in the past.

There was further trouble when the club visited Swindon last December, with 11 arrests in the town centre as fans clashed following violence inside the stadium after the match. Rovers also received a warning from the FA after the recent Johnstone's Paint Trophy victory over Bristol City, when fans again ran on to the pitch at the final whistle.

On Saturday, police and stewards surrounded the pitch before full-time and no one attempted to cross the touchline.

Rovers were worried that they could be hit by a heavy fine or even a points deduction if fans got on to the playing surface again.

Season ticket holder Sue Chappell, 27, has been a Rovers fan for 12 years and her husband, Chris, has supported the club all his life.

She said: "I did not see any trouble, and I think the police dealt with things as well as they could.

"I felt there was the right number of officers inside the ground.

"It was not intimidating, but when they came out 10 minutes from time in their riot gear it was enough to stop people misbehaving."

No one from the club was available for comment