Gillingham fans Ryan Kelly and Leon Cooper ran onto the pitch at Priestfield

Two Gillingham fans have been banned from the club after running onto the pitch during a match.

Ryan Kelly, 27, of Trafalgar Street, Gillingham, and Leon Cooper, 27, of Linden Road, Gillingham, were arrested after going onto the pitch at Priestfield.

They were charged with Section 4 of the Football Offences Act, going on to a playing area.

Now the two men have pleaded guilty in court over the incident during the Accrington Stanley game on Saturday, March 23.

They were handed Football Banning Orders, which prevent them from going to Priesfield Stadium or any other football club above Blue Square South level for three years.

The pair were also ordered to pay £170 fines, £42.50 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge each.

Gillingham FC safety officer Tony Payne said: "The club are pleased to see that these two men have been appropriately dealt with by the courts and the penalty should send a strong message to supporters attending Priestfield Stadium in the future.

"Gillingham Football Club have enjoyed an excellent season both on and off the field this year and we do not want unacceptable behaviour of this type to detract from the excellent support we have received from the vast majority of fans."

The case follows a ban for fan Joshua Sanders, 17, who ran on to the pitch and assaulted the Wycombe goalkeeper during a game in February. He has been banned from all football grounds for five years.

A fourth supporter, Billy Smallman, 23, of Littlebourne Avenue, Gillingham, is due in court charged with assaulting a steward at the Cheltenham v Gillingham game on Saturday, April 13.

He has been charged with causing actual bodily harm and bailed to attend Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on May 22.