MANAGER Phil Brown pledged to fully investigate and take action if required following an alleged incident between defender Chris Hussey and a Swindon Town supporter at the end of his side's 2-1 defeat at Newport County in League Two this afternoon.

Hussey, on loan from Sheffield United for the duration of the season, became embroiled in an apparent confrontation with a spectator in the section of the ground occupied by Town fans behind the goal at the end of the defeat at Rodney Parade after the final whistle.

BBC Wiltshire reported in the immediate aftermath that Hussey, 29, had thrown a punch at an individual behind the goal, but Brown was only able to offer limited insight in his post-match comments.

Town slipped to defeat in Wales as Padraig Amond and Ben Tozer netted in the first half, Donal McDermott replying midway through the second half before Town had defender Rollin Menayese sent off for a second bookable offence.

"I believe he did get into an altercation,'' Brown confirmed to the media after the match.

" I'm going off what Chris Hussey has told me, he's saying the fan raised his hands first and something happened after that.

"What that is, I've not idea. If the fan is claiming assault or whatever then I have to investigate further.

"It will be dealt with, there is no doubt about it. Players can't be doing things like that, regardless of whether the fans are in there first or not.

"There's a barrier you can't cross. If a fan comes on to the pitch it's a different argument but that will be dealt with.''

Brown himself made a point of heading over to the 949 travelling supporters at the final whistle to show his appreciation for their backing, as Town's play-off bid was dealt a serious blow.

The County Ground chief offered a withering condemnation of his side's first-half display, despite a slight improvement after the break and suggested that his players should look to make amends to the travelling army of supporters.

"I was disgusted with our (first-half) performance if truth be known, when I had 949 travelling fans - and I apologised to every one of them,'' he said.

"That's the reason why I went across to them at the end. As far as I'm concerned, they've wasted their money.

"If I could do something about that I would, but I think the players need to do something about that.

"It was a disgraceful performance. In the second half we raised a gallop and showed a little something about wanting to play for Swindon Town Football Club. But for 45 minutes too late as far as I'm concerned.''