A RABBIT brought an FA Cup football match to a halt when it popped out onto the pitch.

The floppy-eared youngster made a cameo appearance during Witton's first qualifying round tie against North East Counties League side Sheffield on Saturday as Albion's goalkeeper prepared to take a kick.

"I've been confronted by streakers and annoyed supporters before but never a rabbit," said Jon Worsnop.

"I just saw a hole emerge in the six-yard box and there it was peeping at me."

Teammate Brian Pritchard donned one of Worsnop's white gloves to catch the invader as it scurried behind the goal.

Worsnop, 23, added: "There was no way I was going to pick it up, it looked petrified."

Fans looked on in amazement as Pritchard picked up the rabbit and handed it over to groundsman Alan Spruce, who had arrived to fill in the hole it left.

Club director Mark Harris admitted he could not believe what he was seeing.

He said: "Our main concern was that the rabbit had managed to get in without paying."

Once Spruce had completed his pitch repairs five minutes later, he tucked the rabbit away inside his luminous jacket so the match could resume.

Earlier, Worsnop had been cautioned by referee Mark Ackerman when he took too long taking a goal kick.

The Witton keeper said he had good reason.

Problem "I spotted something moving and knew straight away there was a problem, so I took the kick from the other side of the goalmouth," he said.

"But the ref didn't believe me when I told him what was there."

Albion manager Jim Vince said he laughed when Ackerman jogged over to explain the delay.

Vince said: "The ref reassured me he was not going to abandon the game.

"I just laughed, but for Jon it was certainly a hare-raising experience."

And the 200-strong crowd went home happy as Witton went on to win 3-2.

The rabbit was later released.

Harris said: "We freed the Wincham One, it seemed the right thing to do."

For a match report, turn to Page 55.

l Do you have any unusual animal stories, pictures or video?

Have you experienced anything like the amazing tales of our two fluffy friends featured on this page?

If you have, we would love to hear from you. Email northwich@guardiangrp.co.uk.