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Newton Aycliffe sack boss after players force way into rival changing room

Newton Aycliffe have sacked manager Peter Dixon and dismissed a number of players after members of their squad fought their way into Morpeth Town's changing room following their 3-2 FA Vase defeat.

According to BBC Sport, video footage of the clash shows Newton players at their Moore Lane Park ground running towards and gathering around Morpeth's dressing room door, with visiting members of staff reportedly having to keep opposition players out.

At least one member of Newton's staff also attempted to hold players back, with chairman Allan Oliver and another staff member reportedly walking Morpeth players back to their cars after the match.

Dixon has been dismissed, Newton said, "due to the ongoing ill-discipline" of some of his players.

"It's not been easy but we've acted straight away and want to draw a line under it," Oliver told BBC Sport. "If there are any investigations we will fully take part, but it is difficult to comment further."

Morpeth joint-chairman Gary Munday said the club, who have not made a complaint to the police, are submitting a statement to the Football Association with the incident reportedly witnessed by the referee. They said they will support any investigation if any player was to report an assault.

"We are shocked and disgusted by what happened," Munday said. "Morpeth Town is a very family-orientated football club as we encourage our juniors, free of charge to support the club -- that grass-root support is the future of football. Unfortunately, we have had parents say that they will never take their children to away games again. We will try to encourage them back as we do feel that this is a one-off."

North-East rivals Newton and Morpeth both play in the Northern Football League Division One -- the ninth tier of English football.

Newton have been the subject of a Durham Football Association investigation after Spennymoor Town refused to play the second half against them in July, saying that their match had taken an "aggressive direction."