Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has slammed the “appalling” behaviour of his club’s supporters after the Premier League team’s pre-season friendly against Darlington turned nasty.

Friday’s match, played in front of a crowd of over 9,000 at The Darlington Arena, had to be halted for 10 minutes as Newcastle fans poured onto the pitch after Sammy Ameobi’s second-half goal.

The celebrations turned ugly as rival fans fought on the pitch and Pardew left his position on the bench to try to calm the situation.

Three fans were arrested and another was escorted from the ground before the match was eventually able to resume, with Newcastle finishing 2-0 winners.

Pardew was furious that the rioting supporters had shamed his club and yesterday he said:

“Having reflected overnight on Friday’s match at Darlington that was interrupted in the second half by the actions of some of our supporters, I am left bitterly disappointed by the events that unfolded.

“Apart from the frustrating disruption to what was a very good game of football and an important part of our pre-season preparation, the pitch invasion was totally unacceptable and has brought shame on everyone connected with Newcastle United.

“We came to play a football match and to provide entertainment for a family audience instead we witnessed some truly appalling behaviour which damages the reputation of this great club and the vast majority of our true and law-abiding supporters at Newcastle.”