IT was a cold, windy and wet night. But for one man watching the FA cup tie between Newport County and Blackpool on Wednesday, emotion got the better of him.

Ben Rafferty, (pictured) 34, of Jeddo Street, Pill decided he would add an extra bit of excitement and fun to the proceedings by staging a streak in front of 3,500 people.

Mr Rafferty was joined by a friend, who was a little more shy, but nevertheless game for a laugh.

At the time there was just ten minutes of normal time left, and Newport were holding their league opponents to a one-all draw.

But what happened next may have contributed to the goal that rocked the home team at the start of the first half of extra time. Certainly there were gasps from the crowd.

Mr Rafferty and his semi-naked friend handed their clothes to "some bloke in the crowd" and staged their two- man show.

Mr Rafferty, who is unemployed, and his friend raced on to the pitch, got to the middle and then decided to have a swim.

Mr Rafferty said: "I have never done anything like that before. I just always wanted to do it, and I thought 'why not?'

"It was the right weather as well. I wasn't embarrassed. My mate went along, but he bottled out."

Mr Rafferty explained that the decision to let it all hang out came as he got caught up in the game and wanted to celebrate Newport's efforts. Surprisingly, Mr Rafferty left his socks on. He doesn't know why!

The police caught up with the two men doing their impression of a couple of ducks and led them away.

Mr Rafferty said: "We got charged for going on the pitch, but not for streaking. The police were a little amused and the supporters had a good laugh."

Back in the warm comfort of his home, Mr Rafferty said he had had little bother from his girlfriend.

He said: "She thinks I'm mad. She wasn't there but the news was all around Pill in minutes."