Tranmere Rovers fan Abbie-Leigh Reay is set to become the first woman banned from all football stadiums.

The 23-year-old was arrested after throwing a flare onto the pitch during Tranmere Rovers’ 4-0 loss to Forest Green Rovers at Prenton Park in January.

CCTV footage captured the moment the object was thrown onto the pitch near referee Lee Swabey and Forest Green goalkeeper Luke McGee, with Reay seemingly putting her hands up in celebration.

She was found guilty of throwing a missile onto a football playing area under the Football (Offences) Act 1991, despite denying the charge.

Reay, who represented herself, told the court that she threw the flare in a 'panic' to protect her asthmatic partner and brother.

"We had moved a couple of seats in front of these lads but they rocked down and that's when the flare has come and it was smoking at my feet,'' she said.

''Joel [brother] was on one side and my partner was on the other side and the first thing I thought was to get it away. I threw it directly onto the football pitch.

“I then turned around and told the lads to ‘f*** off'. I've been going to Tranmere all my life and I hate things like this."

Reay's partner Libby, who was also at the hearing, said: "The lads told us that they had flares in their pockets. After half-time the flare ended up on my feet.

"I am asthmatic, I did not want to be inhaling the smoke, so I just panicked. Abbie panicked and just picked it up and threw it and the police turned up. The lads behind did say it was not her flare."

District Judge James Hatton, who was presiding over the case, decided to reject Reay’s explanation.

Tranmere Rovers

"You simply picked it up and threw it towards the referee and the goalkeeper,” he said.

"Thereafter you put your arms in what was clearly an act of celebration. There is no other explanation for it. It is extremely clear and I reject your account in its entirety."

Reay will be sentenced later this month and faces a ban from visiting any sports ground in the UK.

Tranmere Rovers has also said any fan who throws items onto the pitch will receive an automatic stadium ban, irrespective of police action.