THE Football Association has charged two North-East teams with misconduct after a cup final ended in uproar.
The match between fierce rivals Newton Aycliffe and Ferryhill Greyhound had to be abandoned when spectators invaded the pitch when tempers flared following a sending-off.
The teams are the top two in the Darlington and District League, and their clash in the final of the Kingfisher Finance Trophy was their third meeting in a fortnight.
The match, played at the Darlington RA ground, was bad-tempered throughout and with the score at 1-1, went into extra-time.
Newton Aycliffe took the lead, but matters came to a head when Ferryhill Greyhound player Peter Robson was sent off for a professional foul.
Shortly after that, there was an on-field clash, which sparked a reaction from spectators.
With about 60 people on the field, referee Chris Ellis abandoned the game.
The league has decided it will not be replayed because neither club could guarantee there would not be a repeat of the scenes.
Durham FA secretary John Topping said both clubs and the player whose sending off sparked the incident had been charged with misconduct.
They have 14 days to decide whether to ask for a personal hearing or to reply to the referee's report by letter.
A disciplinary committee with consider the matter and decide what action to take.
* A report in Monday's edition of The Northern Echo incorrectly said the Greyhound was in Darlington when it was, in fact, Ferryhill. We apologise for the error and confusion or embarrassment this may have caused
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