A referee officiating a Sunday League football match created history at the weekend, but the feat wasn't anything to do with any of the whistle-blowers' decisions.

At Carmel School, Darlington Lynn Briggs became the first woman in black to take charge of a The Northern Echo Darlington and District Sunday Invitation League encounter - and she passed the test with flying colours.

The match, between home side Northern Spirit and Hurworth Albion, ended 5-0 to the visitors, but Briggs was the centre of attention.

She had only refeered junior boys' football before, and said: "It was strange doing an adults game and not a kids' match, but I enjoyed it.

"I noticed I wasn't as tired as I normally am after a kids' game. Kids just hoof it from one end to the other, but there was a bit more skill involved on Sunday.

"I think the teams were a bit unsure at first but they soon got on with it and by the second half I was getting the stick people usually get."

Explaining how she got into refeering, she said: "I did a referees course to learn the rules so that I knew what I was shouting about when I was watching my sons James and Mark play and it went from there."

Having taken charge of junior football and some Under-16s women's games, the next step was an adults game.

"I'd been watching James play for RA Social in the Darlington Church and Friendly League and I just thought I can't do any worse than what I've seen," she said.

Adding: "I really enjoyed it and it was a good game. Once they got used to me I got the usual hassle you expect!"

The shortage of referees at Sunday league level is a common problem, and player-manager of Northern Spirit, Neil Jollie, was only to happy to see Briggs get involved.

"She did a good job, particularly as it was her first game at this level," said Jollie.

"I was pleased we could give her an opportunity to start her 'career'. With the number of people taking up refereeing at an all time low, it is essential that any new referees are encouraged regardless of their sex.

"The gender of the match officials doesn't matter as their ability and performance is paramount - she did a good job considering it was her first time out."

Jollie also paid tribute to her handling of the bugbear of many a referee: the offside rule.

"To be honest, she was barely noticed, which is often the sign of a good referee, and her application of the offside rule was exceptionally good - better than most referees I've seen over the last few years."

League secretary Ken Moore was an interested spectator on Sunday, and he was also delighted with Briggs' performance.

"She did very well and both teams gave her respect," said Moore.

"She grew in confidence as the game went on and I hope to give her a couple of games in March.

"There were one or two incidents when they let her know what they thought, but it wouldn't be a Sunday League match if they didn't!