A man has been jailed after football hooligans hurled bottles at police and violence erupted in a city centre bar.

Bar staff described how they were terrorised by a gang of Coventry City thugs ahead of the side's clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

The second major outbreak of football-related violence in Brighton in 15 months has prompted police to tighten security ahead of the Seagulls' Championship clash with Leeds United at Withdean Stadium on Saturday.

Saturday's incident - which did not involve any Albion supporters - began when 50 people from Coventry began drinking in the Hobgoblin pub in London Road, Brighton, before Albion's FA Cup match with Coventry.

Brighton and Hove police received intelligence reports from West Midlands police and were waiting for them.

Officers, aided by Coventry police "spotters" who watch for troublemakers, approached the group and found only a handful had tickets for the game and some were the subject of court orders barring them from league grounds.

A dozen suddenly fled the pub and escaped while the remainder without tickets were escorted to the King and Queen pub in Gloucester Place.

Police were asking them for their plans and intentions when they started hurling glass bottles.

Two men were arrested including Sean O'Sullivan, 23, of Walsgrave Road, Coventry. O'Sullivan admitted a public order offence and breaching his banning order and was jailed for four months by Brighton magistrates yesterday.

A 25-year-old man, also from Coventry, was arrested for the same offences and the possession of Class A drugs. He was bailed for six weeks pending further inquiries.

Police in riot gear marched the rest of the group to Brighton railway station. They were escorted on a train to Haywards Heath where minibuses they had hired were waiting to take them back to Coventry.

Ten Albion soccer thugs were jailed for a total of 21 years for attacking rival Leeds fans and smashing up The Pump House pub in The Lanes, Brighton, in October 2004.

Plans were being drawn up yesterday to police this weekend's league match with Leeds.

Chief Superintendent Jeremy Paine, Brighton and Hove Police commander, said: "Extra officers will be in Brighton providing a visible, reassuring police presence in the city. We want people to attend this game and the city centre and enjoy a happy and peaceful event.

"Many people are aware of the violent disorder that occurred in Brighton city centre following the same fixture in October, 2004. We are determined that this will not happen again.

"I have a stark warning to anyone thinks they can come into our city and engage in mindless, alcohol-fuelled violence. We will deal with you in the strongest way possible and we will pursue custodial punishments."