YOU have gone too far with the sheep jokes, Newport County have warned Nationwide South rivals Horn-church after their stormy encounter last month.

The Exiles have accused Urchins supporters of making offensive anti-Welsh remarks at a recent Nationwide South match and a member of the County board wrote to the Football Association to voice his disgust at "racist" remarks .

These included the usual lewd comments about sheep, forcing the governing body to write to Horchurch to ask for an explanation.

The comments are alleged to have been made in front of a female supporter who was standing in front of home supporters during the highly-charged 1-1 draw between the sides last month.

The suggestion by English football fans that the Welsh are over familiar with a certain farmyard animal is nothing new and most fans take it with a pinch of salt.

But Hornchurch spokesman Ian Walmsley explained: "We received an official letter from the FA with regard to a complaint made by Newport County.

"The club's owner (Karl Williams) has responded to it and we are obviously taking it seriously and will investigate the comments made and we will see if there needs to be any action taken.

"We feel that the so-called abuse was more in the form of football banter and we must stress that we are not a racist club and make every effort to make visiting fans and officials welcome when they come to Hornchurch."

Newport County supporter-director and club spokesman Colin Everett admitted that he didn't know where the complaint originated from, be it a member of the board or a supporter.

"We are holding a board meeting tonight and this will be discussed," he said. "As far as I knew the only complaint that was made was a verbal one regarding their assistant manager who came onto the pitch and struck Ashley Williams.

"But as far as this goes, I am a bit baffled."

He added: "There is a bit of a grey area when it comes to this, when does banter become offensive?

"We have always took a positive stance of keeping racism out of football and are very supportive of the Keep Racism out of Football campaign."

No one at the FA was available for comment.