A FOOTBALL fan went to a local derby game, hours after he was banned him from attending football matches for three years.

Yesterday, ardent Darlington FC supporterLee Davidson, who admitted he "just could not stay away" from his team's Carling Cup match against rivals Hartlepool United - was warned that he faced a prison sentence for breaching his football banning order.

Davidson, 21, was seen by police trying to hide among a large group of Darlington fans during a disturbance in a pub near Hartlepool Utd's Victoria Park stadium on August 23.

Minutes later, the teams met for their first-round cup tie, which was hailed as Darlington's biggest match for years.

That morning, Davidson, of Peabody Street, Darlington, had been banned from attending football matches by the town's magistrates, for fighting after the Quakers' pre-season friendly with Middlesbrough.

Magistrates warned him not to go to Hartlepool that evening - or any other town when Darlington were playing there. Davidson was arrested after being recognised by a police officer.

At first he said he thought the banning order came into force at midnight, but he later admitted he could not stay away from the match, which Darlington lost 3-1.

He appeared before Darlington magistrates again yesterday, where he was told the breach was a very serious offence.

Magistrates deferred sentencing until November 25 at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court for reports to be prepared, but warned Davidson that they were recommending a custodial penalty.