Warnock attacked as fans storm pitch

Neil Warnock claimed he was punched during the pitch invasion after the final whistle and several Palace players - including teenager Sean Scannell - had to seek refuge behind a police cordon as they were unable to reach the dressing rooms.

Most of the City fans who invaded the Ashton Gate pitch appeared to be in good spirits as they had just secured a place at Wembley thanks to their 2-1 extra-time triumph that saw them go through to the final on 24 May, winning 4-2 on aggregate.

But the FA may take a dim view of Warnock's account and the fact that thousands of supporters were encroaching on to the playing surface before the final whistle had sounded.

Warnock, who had been taunted by the home crowd throughout the game, was attacked despite being surrounded by six burly stewards.

The 59-year-old Palace boss said: "There were one or two idiots and a couple of punches thrown. It was all the way down to the tunnel.

"One young lad caught me but I think one of the stewards trod on him as he fell to the floor, which was nice. I heard him squeal."

Warnock, who insisted he did not want to take the matter further, even joked: "There's millions of people who would like to do what that lad did. I was glad to see him sprawl on the floor and the guy tread on him."

The FA will wait for referee Howard Webb's report on the incident with Warnock before taking any action but they will also want to know why City's assistant manager Keith Millen re-appeared on the pitch before the start of extra-time despite being sent to the stands during the first-half. Webb dismissed Millen after he was involved in an angry flare-up with veteran Palace striker Clinton

Morrison. The two men clashed after Clint Hill had lunged at City captain Louis Carey with his studs showing and had to be separated by Eagles assistant Keith Curle.

Michael McIndoe and Lee Trundle scored the decisive goals after Ben Watson had put Palace one-up and then missed a penalty with just 17 minutes to go.