A 71-year-old man attacked by three intruders with a pitchfork in his Cranbourne North home says he intends arming himself in case they return. 

Rick Maaskant requires plastic surgery and says he’s lucky he didn’t lose any eye when he tried to fight off the intruders who broke into his home around 11.30pm.

He was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries and says he wishes he could have done more to protect himself.

The offenders are still on the run.

Senior Constable Samantha Russell told Neil Mitchell it could have been a lot worse.

‘He’s angry, obviously his personal space has been invaded,’ she said.