Huge League One title clash STOPPED after fox invades pitch and scampers round the box

A FOX halted Portsmouth’s League One top-two clash with Derby.

Fans were stunned as the intruder emerged from nowhere to delay the game as County led 2-1 at Fratton Park.

The fox thwarted attempts to grab it

PA

Joe Ward struck twice for Derby before the Fox intervened[/caption]

The Fox was too fast as it whipped across the box

The Fox held up the Rams as it showed the fastest two pairs of legs on the pitch – racing from the penalty box to the corner flag.

Players from both sides could only stand and watch before the unexpected invader was finally cleared from the pitch.

Many observers pointed out that the Foxes – Leicester – had been playing 24 hours earlier.

And one jobsworth fan warned the animal on X: “You can’t run there mate.”

But other viewers noted the poor condition of the fox’s fur.

“Poor thing needs a vet,” commented one fan.

The match resumed with leaders Portsmouth desperately searching for an equaliser.

Derby winger Joe Ward had struck twice in 12 minutes before the break, with Pompey frontman Abu Mamara netting inbetween.

But whatever happens, both clubs appear to have a healthy cushion in the two automatic promotion places, with Bolton their only realistic rivals.