SUNDAY soccer player Neil Harvey ended up in hospital after a biting tackle.

But it wasn't the opposition putting the boot in - it was a spectator's Jack Russell.

Winger Neil, 25, was just ten minutes into the match for the Bull and Dog pub in Hartlepool against Hartlepool Workingmen's Club when he went to take a corner.

As Neil stepped up to take the kick, the man's pet terrier went for him and sank its teeth into his right thigh.

Team-mates and onlookers howled with laughter.

But the referee took one look at the wound, which was pouring with blood, and ordered the injured player off.

Neil had to go to Hartlepool General Hospital where he needed a tetanus jab and a stitch to close the wound. To make matters worse, his side lost 3-0.

Neil of Clavering, Hartlepool, said: "There was only about ten minutes of the game gone when I went to take the corner.

"The next thing the Jack Russell jumped up and bit my thigh. It certainly hurt and the ref could see I was bleeding and told me to get treatment.

"The rest of the lads tried to keep a straight face but they pulled my leg about it.

"Even the nurse at the hospital had a laugh about it when I told her what had happened.