Fans of Darlington and Hartlepool football clubs overcame their rivalry to raise money for charity by staging a friendly football match yesterday.

The game was played in aid of Jon Robert Collingwood, who lost the use of his legs in a car crash last year, just days before he was due to sign for Hartlepool as a youth team goalkeeper.

After a 12-month stay in hospital, Jon Robert returned to his parents' Blackhall home, which has been specially adapted.

More than £30,000 has been raised through various events, and yesterday's game, played at the King George V playing fields, Hartlepool, raised another £600.

The teams donated money to play in the much-anticipated fixture. Some players found shirt sponsors and a raffle was held.

The game itself was as frenetic as some of the derby games held between the two professional clubs.

The Northern Echo sports desk's Nick Loughlin played for Hartlepool and Craig Stoddart was in the Darlington team.

Quakers took a 3-1 lead through Chris Johnson, Dave Robinson and a 35-yard strike from Matty Ashmore while Pool's scorer was Ian Robson.

But with just three minutes remaining, goals by Hartlepool's Andy Normanton and Dave French took the game to a penalty shoot-out, won by Pool 4-1.

The successful spot-kick takers were John Hopps (Darlington), John Matthews, Phil Wanley and Darren Hogg (all Hartlepool).