Football supporters have been warned matches could be played behind closed doors after a smoke bomb was thrown at a County Durham derby game.

Darlington and Spennymoor players were coming out onto the pitch with match officials when the pyrotechnic was launched on Saturday afternoon.

There was also trouble in Spennymoor town centre after the game when fans clashed following the 2-1 victory for the home side.

Darlington’s directors have now said the club could face stiff punishments for the incident at the ground - four days after the same thing happened during the team’s 4-0 win over Scunthorpe United.

Ray Simpson, The Quakers’ club secretary and media manager, said: “This is a dangerous and criminal act, and is contrary to the league’s ground regulations relating to pyrotechnics which are published on our website.

“It is an offence to bring pyrotechnics to a football match.”

Mr Simpson said both incidents have been reported to the FA by the match referee.

He said: “Before Saturday’s game at the Brewery Field, we reinforced our usual warning about behaviour on various club platforms, and clearly this was ignored by the people concerned.

“Two similar incidents in four days does not reflect well upon the club, and the FA is sure to take that into consideration.

“We are likely to be heavily fined, and warned about our future conduct.

“If there is any repetition, then as well as a heavy fine, they could force us to play behind closed doors, as they did recently with Bury, or even deduct points.

“Whatever the punishment, it will affect our resources at a key stage of the season, and reflects badly upon the club.

"The reckless and irresponsible behaviour of one or two individuals threatens the momentum that the club has achieved in recent weeks.

“We would ask our true fans to identify these culprits before they derail our progress and to write to us in confidence.”

People can the club by emailing: report@darlingtonfc.org

Durham Constabulary is also investigating after four people arrested when trouble flared in a Spennymoor town centre.

Problems between rival fans at the derby game had been predicted with both clubs, who play in the Vanarama National League North, issuing a warning ahead of the fixture.

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A force spokesperson said: “Following the conclusion of yesterday's Spennymoor Town v Darlington FC football match, local residents will be aware of disorder within Spennymoor town centre amongst two groups of supporters.

“Officers are encouraging anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage to please forward this to the local NPT via our email address of SpennymoorBeats@durham.police.uk or our Facebook messenger.

“Police are already reviewing several recordings of the incident as well as drone footage and BodyWorn video, with a view to identifying individuals involved in this disorder.

“At this time there have been four arrests made in connection with the disturbance.”

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