LONDON, Jan 11 - An English minor league soccer player was jailed for four months on Thursday for breaking an opponent's jaw with a punch during an FA Cup match, police said.

James Cotterill, who plays for Conference North team Barrow, is thought to be the first player in recent times to be jailed for on-pitch violence during a senior game in England.

The defender assaulted Sean Rigg during Barrow's 3-2 FA Cup first round loss to fourth division Bristol Rovers in November.

The incident at Barrow's ground was captured by TV cameras and watched by millions on the BBC's "Match Of The Day" programme which broadcasts highlights of the cup matches.

Cotterill was imprisoned after being convicted of causing grievous bodily harm at Preston Crown Court.

"The offence was reported to us, we've acted accordingly and we have to say that the footballer himself was very cooperative in the way he dealt with us," a Cumbria Police spokesman said.

"He has been contrite throughout for his actions."

Cotterill, who was immediately suspended, was banned by the Football Association from playing soccer at any level until March after being found guilty in December of violent conduct.

SEVERELY PUNISHED

"I'm devastated for the lad," Barrow manager Phil Wilson told the North-West Evening Mail newspaper.

"This is a lad whose never done anything wrong in his life, he's made one mistake and he is getting severely punished."

A number of high-profile English players have been jailed for non-soccer related incidents, usually drink-driving, but none have been jailed for recent on-pitch incidents.

Last July West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer was fined 600 pounds ($1,161) after he admitted starting a brawl that saw him come to blows with his then-Newcastle United team mate Kieron Dyer during a match in April 2005.

Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona was given a two-week jail term for launching a "kung fu" attack on a spectator who goaded him during a match in September 1995, but the punishment was later changed to 120 hours community service.

In 1995 Scottish international Duncan Ferguson became the first international in Britain to be jailed for an on-field assault after he head-butted an opponent.