A Saints fan has said it felt like she was shot when a bottle was launched at her head during the away game at Birmingham.

Tara Doel, 58, was struck by a full plastic bottle after it was launched by a crowd of home fans following Southampton’s winning goal at St Andrew’s on Saturday.

Following the 96th-minute Joe Aribo goal, Tara said she heard an “almighty bang” as the bottle struck her, leaving her with ringing in her ears and headaches even two days on.

But now the fan - who had to go to hospital - has said it could have been “a lot worse”. She has slammed a decision to place home fans above away Saints supporters at St Andrew's stadium.

Bottles, cups and drinks were also thrown at other people, she said, and others were spat at during the game.

Daily Echo: Tara Doel at the Saints Birmingham match at St Andrew's. Tara Doel at the Saints Birmingham match at St Andrew's. (Image: Tara Doel)

She said: “I thought I had been shot, to be honest, it felt like it. I looked down and saw the bottle on the step.

“I tried to grab the steward’s attention but I don’t think he knew what I was up to. It was all a bit chaotic really.

“Someone came over to see me. He offered me a paramedic. But the last thing I wanted to do is be stuck in Birmingham."

She added: "I could have turned around, it could have taken an eye out.”

She boarded the coach home and attended the Royal South Hants Hospital the next day where she underwent tests.

Tara was left with a bump on her head, headaches and ringing in her ears.

READ MORE: Children hit by objects in Saints vs Millwall match disorder

But now Tara, who works for Southampton brain injury charity Headway, says she is “annoyed” at the decision to let home fans stand above the away supporters at the game.

She has since been in discussions with security at Southampton FC and police. She told the Echo that incidents are “increasingly happening”.

She said: “It sounds like there was a few incidents. It is a shame, we had all this in the 80s.

“I’m just more annoyed that there were supporters allowed to be up there and behaving the way that they did.

“From a security point, I don’t think that is very good.

“It is just not acceptable. We pay our money to go and watch football, not have things thrown at us.

“I have been to St Andrew’s a couple times before. I don’t remember having any issues there last time but then it was a long time ago.

“I don’t accept that the football stadiums should have home fans above the away fans, that is really asking for trouble.”

Daily Echo: Saints fans sat below crowds of home supporters at Birmingham.Saints fans sat below crowds of home supporters at Birmingham. (Image: Tara Doel)

Tara has regularly attended Saints matches both home and away for around 20 years but attended her first game in 1977.

Writing on Facebook, she said: “Throwing missiles, being spat at and other such behaviours like yesterday are simply not acceptable.”

Other fans commented on the post to say that bottles, cups and drinks were “flying down” after the fourth Saints goal with others saying they were spat at.

It comes after two children were struck by items thrown by fans last week when the Saints faced Millwall at St Mary's.

Birmingham City FC and West Midlands Police have been approached for comment.