Hyde FC's biggest game for 23 years was marred on Friday evening as a flare thrown from the crowd set their artificial pitch alight, delaying kick off by 15 minutes.

A club staff member was forced to run on to the Ewen Fields pitch with a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.

Broadcast live on the BBC, Hyde's game against the MK Dons in the FA Cup first round was eventually played on the 3G surface, but players had to contend with some significant holes which got burnt into the playing area.

Reports suggested that Hyde were set to make a profit of £150,000 from the game, but could end up having to use some of that money to repair the pitch and pay fines for the actions of fans.

The action prompted the EFL to issue a reminder about the danger of pyrotechnics at grounds.

The BBC reported that EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "Taking pyrotechnics into our grounds is a criminal offence.

"Police will seek to impose a football ban order as an appropriate measure."

Any supporter found to be in breach of the terms of the charter will face a minimum three-season club ban.