Bristol Rovers have launched an investigation to find the supporters who racially abused Dartford goalkeeper Jason Brown on Tuesday night.

Brown tweeted about the incident following the Darts' 1-0 defeat at the Memorial Stadium.

Rovers responded by releasing the following statement on Wednesday morning.

It said: "During our game against Dartford last night, visiting goalkeeper Jason Brown was racially abused by one or more of our supporters who were stood on the terrace behind his goal.

"Bristol Rovers are conducting a full investigation into the incident and co-operating fully with the police with the sole aim of identifying and apprehending the perpetrator(s) of the abuse.

"Any supporters found to have been involved in the incident will be prosecuted and banned from this football club for life.

"Our safety officer spoke to Jason Brown, and referee Adam Hopkins, at the end of the game.

"Bristol Rovers operates a zero tolerance approach to abusive behaviour and, after all of our efforts to eliminate racial abuse from the Memorial Stadium, we are devastated at last night’s incident.

"A small minority of so-called supporters are bringing our club into disrepute and we run the risk of attracting a punishment from the Football Association should we continue to experience problems such as this.

"Just one week after the Eastleigh chairman praised the behaviour of our supporters, we are now investigating a very serious matter that happened in our own stadium and it is imperative that those responsible for last night’s incident are caught and punished.

"Anyone who can assist with our enquiries should, in the first instance, contact John Harper on 07790 277985.

"The club has written to Dartford FC, Jason Brown and the Football Association apologising for the incident but will not be making any further comment until investigations have been completed."

The league have also issued a statement regarding the incident.

It said: "The Football Conference has been made aware of an allegation of a racist nature in a competition fixture played between Bristol Rovers FC and Dartford FC on Tuesday 7th October at the Memorial Stadium, Bristol.

"In accordance with normal practice, this has been referred to the Football Association and whilst its investigation is undertaken the Football Conference will not make any comment."