THIRTEEN people were arrested after rival football supporters clashed after Darlington's match with Hartlepool at the weekend.

Police used CS spray when violence flared following the 1-1 draw at Feethams on Saturday.

The trouble started while Hartlepool fans were being escorted to the town's Bank Top railway station.

Darlington supporters in pubs in Victoria Road tried to charge into the street to confront the Hartlepool fans.

A window in the Dalesman pub was smashed and CS spray was used to prevent one Darlington supporter from causing trouble.

Police confirmed yesterday that 13 arrests were made. Some supporters were arrested for running onto the pitch during the sell-out game. Others were arrested afterwards for criminal damage and public order-related offences.

Inspector Eddie Bond, of Darlington police, said: "For his own safety, a police officer used CS gas spray on one person in the pub.

"Most of the arrests were for minor offences, and we believe we coped well with such a high-profile match."

But supporters who witnessed the violence appeared to disagree with the police version of events.

Posting views on a Darlington FC website last night, one supporter wrote: "Police used CS gas and batons to control the Darlington fans, and a number of innocents were caught up in the general disturbance.

"Cue images of real fans struggling not to be sick and rubbing their eyes while pub windows were smashed with bar stools and anything that wasn't nailed down."

The fan added: "When everything calmed, everyone piled into the street to be met by the sight of Hartlepool fans lying beaten on the floor and being attended to by the police and ambulance."

Another supporter claimed he was set upon by 15 Hartlepool supporters, one of whom was carrying a knife.

Writing on their own website, Hartlepool supporters said hooligans threw bricks and glasses at the travelling fans, who included women and children.