Football hooligans assaulted a barmaid and spat at customers in a sickening pub attack at the weekend.

Yobs threw bottles at the Ayrshire boozer, smashed windows and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The gang of around 20 men targeted Kilmarnock's Clansman Bar on Saturday evening with desperate punters barricading the door with a pool table cover in a bid to keep yobs out of the pub.

The attack on the John Finnie Street watering hole took place just after 5pm — minutes after Kilmarnock defeated Motherwell 2-1 at Rugby Park in the Scottish Premiership.

In a Facebook post, the pub claims that Steelmen supporters were responsible for the brutal assault on the boozer.

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CCTV from the venue shows people crowding outside
CCTV from the venue shows people crowding outside 

Clansman owner Mari Borland told Ayrshire Live the attack could've been a lot worse if heroic regulars hadn't stepped in to help.

Explaining what took place, Mari said: "A younger boy, who was walking himself, got jumped by a group of fans so our barmaid went out to move them away from the boy.

"Then more and more came and by this point they were trying to get in the pub.

"They were throwing bottles in, smashing windows and spitting at people.

"The barmaid also got hit trying to keep them out.

Pub bosses say the damage will cost thousands of pounds to repair
Pub bosses say the damage will cost thousands of pounds to repair 

"At one point our customers were barricading the door with the pool table cover.

"If a couple of boys hadn’t been in the pub to stop them it would be a different story."

Thankfully, the barmaid was okay after the attack, the pub boss confirmed.

The incident left staff and customers so shaken that they considered closing the pub for the night.

Speaking about the mood after the attack, Mari added: "It was a horrible atmosphere.

Broken windows after the attack
Broken windows after the attack 

"We were going to close for the night but some of our customers helped tidy up and Aspire Windows came out to board up. We were so thankful for the customers that helped."

Police were called to the scene and have said that enquiries into the disturbance are ongoing.

The post on The Clansman Bar's Facebook page reads: "We are now open again for some Saturday karaoke.

"We would like to thank the Motherwell FC fans who have smashed our windows leaving thousands of pounds of damage and also assaulted our bar staff.

The Clansman the morning after the incident
The Clansman the morning after the incident

"Thanks to Aspire Windows & Home Improvements LTD for coming out on a Saturday night.

"Also, thanks to the local guys who stopped them coming in the pub and causing more damage."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers attended following reports of a disturbance outside a premises on John Finnie Street in Kilmarnock around 5.10pm on Saturday, August 27.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

Motherwell FC have been contacted for comment.