CHIPPENHAM Town fans have been accused of attacking Lymington and New Milton officials after their stormy FA Cup tie on Saturday.

But Chippenham, who were beaten 3-2, have defended their supporters. They have passed on four letters of complaint from fans to the FA after they claimed they were sworn at and threatened by the Hampshire club's captain Jimmy Sheppard after he was sent off.

Sheppard was ordered off by referee Dennis Ford after squaring up to Bluebirds' Ian Herring in the 77th minute. Sheppard abused the Chippenham fans as he left the field and then continued to argue with supporters after sitting down in front of them.

He was eventually ordered to the dressing room but returned after getting changed and continued to trade insults.

Chippenham officials asked the home club to move Sheppard but they refused.

Supporter Pete Allison, who lives in Corsham, is one of four fans who have written letters of complaint. Chippenham secretary Chris Blake said: "What was said to them was nasty and offensive. They have sent letters to us and we will be passing them on to the FA.''

Lymington and New Milton chairman John Mills said Sheppard has been suspended by the club and will be fined for his behaviour. He added: "Jimmy's actions were totally out of character, he feels total remorse for what he has done and has offered the Chippenham fan a written apology. He has expressed his regret at the situation."

Blake said: "We think what was said was far too serious to be cleared up by an apology.''

Mills accused Chippenham supporters of kicking 60-year-old club director Tony Mills as he left the pitch at the end of the game.

He said: "He was kicked in the back of the leg. He did not see which fan it was but we are certain that it was a Chippenham fan as there were no Lymington fans on that side of the pitch. Tony has a big bruise on the back of his leg.

"After that our coach Dave Taviner was also kicked by a Chippenham fan as he was leaving the field. We are not sure which fan it was but when Dave turned around he saw a Chippenham fan attempting to throw punches at our players. That fan was restrained by two other Chippenham supporters who we are thankful to."

Mills has e-mailed Chippenham asking them to identify the two supporters. He said: "We have three options, we can make a complaint through the FA, take civil action or do nothing.

"If Chippenham take action against their supporters, as we did against Jimmy, then I do not think that we will take the matter further.

"There is a possibility that we might take legal action.

"We do not want to cause problems for Chippenham. I'm sure we can solve this matter between ourselves."

But Blake said Chippenham will not be passing the names of any fans on to the Wessex League club.

He said: "We have spoken to one of the fans involved and they have denied kicking anyone and we believe them.

"The incident was sparked when some of their players said something offensive to the fans as they left the pitch after their warm down at the end of the game.

"The fan was restrained before he got anywhere near their coach or players. We haven't got to the bottom of the other incident they are asking about.

"We won't be passing any names on. If they report it to the police and the police ask us for names we will give them to them.''

Lymington and New Milton were involved in controversy last season when the club was accused of racial abuse against Buckingham Town players during an FA Vase tie. The club was eventually cleared.