Streaker tackler gets red carded

A non-league footballer who was sent off for tackling a pitch invader who was dressed in a mankini has escaped a three-match ban. Dorchester Town's player-manager Ashley Vickers, 39, said he thought he was doing the stewards a favour by tackling Alan Young during the match on 7 March.

Vickers said he was "dumbfounded" by the red card and the Conference South club lodged an appeal last week. The FA said the red card still stands but it has withdrawn the match ban.

The organisation said the referee was right to dismiss the defender for violent conduct under the laws of the game but said the circumstances were exceptional - hence the withdrawal of the ban.

The incident happened during Dorchester's game away to Havant and Waterlooville. The score was at 1-1 at the time, with Vickers' team going on to suffer a 3-1 defeat.
Borat film

Pitch invader Mr Young had evaded the attention of three officials for about 30 seconds before he was pulled to the ground. Havant & Waterlooville fan Mr Young admitted he ran onto the pitch for a bet and the club has since been charged with supporter misconduct by the FA.

Mr Young told BBC News last week: "It was only a bit of a joke. We all agreed at my local pub on Sunday I'd do it as a bet. The security there were too slow but Vickers caught me quite well. He should be a rugby player."