ASHAMED Sunderland fan who confronted Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper on the pitch during a Wear-Tyne derby has been banned from future games.

Ross Miller knocked the goalkeeper to the ground after Sunderland’s injury time equaliser at the Stadium of Light during the match in January.

The 17-year-old, who has had a season ticket for 10 years, was at the game with his father Gary and invaded the pitch seconds after striker Asamoah Gyan scored.

Sunderland Magistrates’ Court heard that the pair were involved in a confrontation with former Newcastle defender Wes Saunders, who was at the ground supporting the Black Cats.

And yesterday, before Miller was handed the three-year banning order the court heard that his father blamed himself for what had happened during the game on January 16.

An argument broke out in the stand between Mr Saunders and fellow Sunderland fans, including Miller’s father, and it was at this point that the teenager got involved.

The sixth-former, of Tangmere, Spennymoor, County Durham, then ran onto the pitch and assaulted the Newcastle goalkeeper.