SPECIAL barriers are to be installed at the Stadium of Light to prevent any repeat of the angry demonstration against under-fire manager Peter Reid following the home defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough.

A large section of disgruntled supporters left their seats to congregate round the Sunderland dug-out and some hurled foul-mouthed abuse as well as scarves and replica shirts towards the Sunderland boss, despite the efforts of stewards and police to keep them at bay.

Now special crowd control measures will be in place before Sunderland's next home game - the big derby game against arch-rivals Newcastle United a week on Sunday.

The club insists the new precautions are not being introduced only for the protection of Reid and his staff who sit in the trainers' box - complaints have been received from fans who also felt under threat in their seats in the centre of the West Stand towards the end of the 1-0 defeat against Boro.

Four gates will be installed on the walkway overlooking the pitch which goes right round the ground, and increased stewarding and the use of CCTV will be introduced at the flash-point above the players' tunnel.

A statement said: "Sunderland Football Club would like to reassure fans that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent a re-occurrence to ensure that their enjoyment of future matches is not compromised.

"The club feels it was completely unacceptable that a handful of fans tried to make their way down towards the dug-outs where they displayed threatening behaviour and used foul and abusive language.

"While it is the view of the club that fans are entitled to express their opinions, we consider that the behaviour of a handful of people at the last home game overstepped the mark.

"Dozens of fans have contacted the club since the game to express their concern and disapproval of the actions of this small number of people. As a result of a handful of fans making their way towards the dug-outs, many supporters, including families with children and supporters in wheelchairs seated in the surrounding area felt threatened."

Reid, who has become the target for increased abuse during a bad run of six games without a win, has answered calls for his resignation by saying he will battle on to lead Sunderland out of trouble.

Meanwhile Kevin Phillips has received precautionary medical injections after a spitting incident which saw Italian defender Gianluca Festa sent off during the derby game with Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light last week.

Although Festa has strenuously denied deliberately spitting in the face of the England striker, claiming that Phillips got in the way as he was clearing his mouth of blood, the Sunderland player has described the incident as "unbelievable."

Festa said: "He (Phillips) insulted me and called me names so I moved my head towards him to try to shut him up. I deny I spat at him but some blood did come out of my mouth as I remonstrated with him."

But Phillips gives a completely different version of the incident, saying: "I still can't get my head round what he did and I don't really like talking about it because the more I talk about it the angrier I get."

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