NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew is hoping there are no “serious repercussions” in the wake of the crowd violence that disrupted last night's 2-0 friendly win over Darlington.

On a controversial night that also saw managing director Derek Llambias verbally abused by a large group of supporters, hundreds of Newcastle fans invaded the pitch at The Northern Echo Arena, almost forcing the abandonment of the game.

The FA are expected to launch a full investigation into the events that saw up to a thousand fans stream on to the playing surface after Sammy Ameobi scored the Magpies' second goal of the evening ten minutes into the second half.

Mimicking a song they sung to the striker's brother, Shola, last season, the 6,183 fans were chanting “If Sammy scores, we're on the pitch” in the build up to the goal.

Once Ameobi slotted past Darlington goalkeeper Deale Chamberlain they were as good as their word, with hundreds of fans surging on to the field and engulfing the players.

They were eventually dispersed, but a second incident broke out shortly afterwards with a much smaller group of supporters breaking beyond the advertising hoardings and fighting with the stewards and police.

The fighting led to Darlington's staff calling their players off the field, and after a ten-minute delay, the game only resumed once Pardew and his assistant, John Carver, walked across to the Newcastle fans housed in The Northern Echo Arena's North Stand to plead for calm.

Referee Colin Webster is expected to mention the incident in a formal report to FA officials, and an investigation could result in sanctions against both Newcastle and Darlington.

“The referee will do a report and we'll have to wait and see what happens from there,” said Pardew. “I hope there aren't any serious repercussions because that's certainly not what we would want from our first pre-season game, but we'll have to wait and see what unfolds.

“I was standing on the sidelines and it all looked very jovial. We were playing well, in control of the game, and when Sammy scored it seemed to be a bit of a celebration. But it turned nasty really.

“It was just by a few, but unfortunately as with any of these incidents, a few can spoil it for the many that come.

“We brought 6,000 people here and the majority of them were absolutely brilliant. But unfortunately we all get tarnished with that brush.”

Pardew revealed that the decision to speak directly to the Newcastle fans was his own, and claimed the ugly scenes took him completely by surprise.

“I knew that if they came on again, we were going to be in trouble,” he said. “I just tried to keep them off and luckily it seemed to work. It was all calm after that.

“There wasn't an incident in the game that caused the problems, other than scoring a goal. I think it just got a little bit out of hand, just by a few.

“I've been at the club six or seven months and I've not seen an incident like this. It was a one off and hopefully it stays like that. We don't want to see that again. For us and the players, it's disappointing, and for most of our fans who have travelled here as well.”

Prior to kick off, there were more ugly scenes in one of the bars at the Arena as a group of Newcastle supporters remonstrated with Llambias. They are understood to have challenged the managing director about his perceived failure to reinvest the £35m that was received from the sale of Andy Carroll.

To complete a miserable night for Newcastle, Danny Guthrie and Shane Ferguson sustained injuries that will keep them out of the club's pre-season tour of the United States.

Guthrie hobbled out of the action in the 11th minute after appearing to injure his groin while twisting in the centre circle.

Ferguson was substituted at half-time after colliding with goalkeeper Fraser Forster, and was sent straight to hospital for an X-ray on his leg.

“That's further bad news for us because they both don't look good,” said Pardew. “One's gone for an X-ray – Fergie – and the other, Danny, has picked up an injury that we think he's had before. That could be him out for between six to eight weeks.”

The crowd trouble and injuries overshadowed an otherwise routine win for the Magpies, who handed debuts to new signings Yohan Cabaye and Mehdi Abeid.

Joey Barton opened the scoring in the second minute, slotting home from close range after Leon Best had nodded down Alan Smith's left-wing cross.

Hatem Ben Arfa was a lively presence throughout as he made his first appearance since last October, and the Frenchman was involved in the build up to Ameobi's goal.

Thirty seconds later, however, and he was sprinting for the touchline to avoid the gathering throng.

DARLINGTON (4-5-1): Russell (Chamberlain 46); Arnison (McReady 32), Miller, Lee, Gray (Ferguson 84); Rundle (Bowman 46), K Taylor (Simpson 53), Chandler (Samgbarini 75), G Taylor, Walshaw (Campbell 46); Hatch.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Forster; Simpson (Tavernier 73), Williamson (Henderson 84), S Taylor (Newton 72), Ferguson (R Taylor 46); Smith (Gosling 65), Guthrie (Cabaye 11 (Donaldson 84)); Barton (Abeid 69), Ben Arfa (Richardson 75), Vuckic (Sammy Ameobi 53); Best (Ranger 77).

Subs (not used): Soderberg (gk), Dummett.

Attendance: 9,721