A NORTH-East football fan escaped being banned from matches for three years yesterday after being convicted of offences at a derby match.

Lifelong Hartlepool United supporter Michael Corr, 38, was arrested seconds after seeing his side score an equalising goal against rivals Darlington at the Quakers' Feethams ground in February.

Detective Constable Mark O'Brien, who was on uniform duty at the game, told Darlington magistrates that Corr ran through a gap in the hoardings with his arms in the air, heading towards where the players were celebrating.

Although he did not cross the byeline, Corr, of Kinterbury Close, Seaton Carew, ran some four metres on the grass, said Det Con O'Brien.

When officers searched his belongings, they found in his wallet a credit card-sized multi-tool, featuring small screwdrivers and a small knife blade, the court heard.

Married father-of-two Corr said he used the blade in his job as a factory manager and kept it on his person because it was handy and stopped it being stolen.

He also claimed he had only gone one or two steps onto the pitch, having been pushed forward by the surge of the celebrating Hartlepool fans.

Corr was found guilty of possession of a bladed or pointed instrument in a public place. Magistrates also convicted him of going onto the playing area.

He was given a 12-month conditional discount and ordered to pay £150 costs.

However, the magistrates agreed with Corr's solicitor, Amy Hall, who argued that a banning order, which would be imposed for a minimum of three years, would be "disproportionate" to the offence.