A FOOTBALL mascot is in the doghouse after falling foul of club officials.

Darlington Football Club will keep their mascot on a tight leash for future games after a "bit of mischief" in front of the TV cameras at the weekend.

Darlo Dog had to be escorted from the stadium by the club's stewards during their 1-3 FA Cup exit to Swansea City on Saturday.

According to fans at the game, the dog mascot - teenager Daniel Wright - was playing up to the cameras.

He had been showboating and playing tricks in front of BBC cameras at Darlington's 96.6TFM Arena.

One season-ticket holder, who did not want to be named, said: "Because the Match of the Day cameras were there he wanted to get himself on the television.

"He was doing stupid things during the game and rolling around."

Towards the end of the second half, Darlo Dog was asked to leave the stand by one of the stewards.

A club spokesman said he had been spotted body surfing on the advertising hoardings in front of the stand.

He was asked by stewards to stop, but when he refused he was escorted out of the ground as a warning.

The spokesman said: "It was just a bit of mischief. But we decided to put him back in the kennel."

He is due to be back in action for the club's next home game against Notts County on December 16.

Darlington mascots have flirted with trouble in the past. Lee Kelly was sacked as club mascot last year after he pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin.

And at the club's former Feethams ground, mascots Mr Q and Billy Bubbles started fighting on the pitch.