A CARLISLE United fan's spontaneous one-man pitch incursion as he celebrated a goal has cost him a football banning order.

James Curr, 43, ran on to the playing area at Brunton Park amid the excitement seconds after United scored an equaliser in the team's April 29th game against Salford City, Carlisle’s Rickergate court heard.

The fan, of Wigton Road, Carlisle, will now be banned from going to any regulated football game in the country for three years.

In court, Curr pleaded guilty to an offence of “going onto the playing area at a football match without a lawful excuse or authority.” This is an offence under the 1991 Football Offences Act.

Prosecutor George Shelley said it happened in the 85th minute of the game after Carlisle – until that point a goal behind - levelled the score. Curr was seen to leave the ground’s “Waterworks” stand before running across the playing area for 15 metres.

He was heading towards the opposing fans but within seconds he had been caught by match stewards who led him away.

In court, the defendant said he had simply become excited by his team’s success and what happened was a celebration.

After hearing the details, magistrates fined him £333, with a £133 victim surcharge and prosecution costs of £85. The magistrates also imposed the three year football banning order.

The order - which applies also to England games - also imposes restrictions of where the defendant can go on match days in Carlisle, banning him from designated city centre areas. Such prosecutions are usually brought because fans who run on the pitch risk creating a situation which can escalate.

The defendant was not legally represented.

Carlisle United lost their game against Salford City after their opponents scored the decisive winning goal two minutes after United's equaliser, making the final score Carlisle United 2 Salford City 3.