VIOLENCE flared up outside St Mary's stadium following Saints' 4:1 FA Cup defeat.

Police let both groups of fans leave St Mary's at the same time leading to a stand off between some home and opposition fans.

A group of Pompey fans and Saints fans taunted each other either side of a wire fence at the Freeborn Garage in Britannia Road, as police tried to seize control.

They could also be seen throwing bottles and coins at each other.

The windscreen of one of the cars parked in the garage's forecourt was smashed. Other cars were dented and had their rear windscreen wipers and wing mirrors ripped off.

On match days the forecourt is used for VIP parking.

Mounted police tried to push the Saints fans, who had headed for the garage after the game finished, away from the area.

Most of the Pompey fans travelling by train have now been escorted back to Southampton central railway station.

One eye witness said that while there was no obvious signs of trouble, the fans were less tightly contained by police compared to on the way to the game.

In total police made 11 arrests throughout the day, mostly for public order offences.