Harlee Dean went from villain to hero as he rushed to the aid of young supporter Ted Starkey, who had been hit by a car, just over an hour after his first red card in senior football.

The 24-year-old defender was walking home from the ground when the accident occured as the eight-year-old was thrown onto the pavement.

Dean checked to see if the Nottingham Forest coach had a doctor on board, but after being told there wasn't dashed back to the ground and found Brentford doctor Matt Stride to come to his aid.

"I was just walking home as that is my route and saw a few fans outside the pub," Dean told the Daily Mail. "Suddenly there was a screech and then a bang, following by the sound of the kid crying.

"I saw the child on the floor and immediately sprinted back to the ground. The Forest team were just boarding their coach and I shouted 'is there a doctor on board?' But they didn't travel with one.

"So I ran back into the changing room and got our doctor, Matt, who ran back with me and attended to him. Luckily, the ambulance was just pulling up and there were lots of police around. I just wanted to check he was OK but I hear he's now out of hospital and is hopefully coming to the training ground soon."

The young fan was taken to West Middlesex hospital to be checked for spine and neck injuries but has been released and is expected to make a full recovery.

In pictures: Brentford beat Nottingham Forest