FIGHTING broke out in the Northam Stand during Saints' win against Fulham yesterday as fans again defied the ban on standing.

Extra police and stewards were drafted into the stand after trouble flared-up around 20 minutes into the game.

Several fans could clearly be seen throwing punches amid ugly scenes.

The situation was finally brought under control later in the first half as Saints' comeback from a two-goal deficit in the Premiership match helped brighten the mood.

A number of arrests were made to add to what has already been a huge increase on last season at St Mary's.

Supporters now fear the Northam Stand could close as a hard-core of fans continue to ignore calls from the club, police and the city council to remain seated.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe expressed his disappointment at the scenes, but stressed that any decision to close the stand was not a matter for the club.

He said: "I neither make the law, nor enforce it.

"We have explained the situation to fans and all we have been trying to do is take the necessary steps to ensure the stand stays open.

"We are trying hard to make people understand that the law says that in all-seater stadiums they must sit down.

"We are caught between a rock and a hard place. Standing is anti-social and in some cases dangerous.

"There are still a few people who are ignoring what we have asked, but hopefully those who care about the club will sit down and want people to enjoy their football and create a positive atmosphere.

"There has been some dislocation at the last two home games and that is not ideal."

Lowe also called for the law on standing at football matches to be enforced evenly across the country.

He said: "It seems some local authorities have differing policies and we want things done in an even-handed way.

"We do not want to be treated differently, we want equal treatment with other Premiership clubs."

Lowe urged fans to go through the correct channels to voice their opposition to the standing ban.

"The right way to go about this is for people to write to their MP or the Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn," he said.

"I personally think there should be a debate.

"When 20 or 25 per cent of fans say they want to stand, it should at least be considered whether or not it is possible.

"These fans should address their concerns to the policy makers and try to win the argument. If they do that, good luck to them."

Lowe also praised the club's stewards and reminded supporters of the fantastic atmosphere at the England/Macedonia game when fans remained seated.

"The England game showed that it is possible to sit and still enjoy the game," he said. "The main thing is that we all pull together and don't let it affect the rest of the club. We are in a great position winning games and we do not want to risk that."

He added: "I must also give credit to our stewards for the way they have handled a difficult situation."