Neil Warnock could find himself in trouble again with the Football Association this week after suffering a miserable night in Birmingham.

After seeing two of his players square up to each other, the Crystal Palace manager may have landed himself in hot water by criticising referee Nigel Miller for allowing too much added time as Birmingham went back to the top of the Championship.

Garry O'Connor scored the home team's 94th-minute winner after the fourth official signalled for three extra minutes. Warnock was charged with improper conduct by the FA last season when he lampooned referee Richard Beeby for playing too much stoppage time, during which Bristol City grabbed an equaliser.

Palace not only lost last night but assistant boss Keith Curle had to drag Shaun Derry away from team-mate Jose Fonte after grabbing the defender by the throat at the end of the game.

Warnock said: "Football is a horrible game sometimes. That's life when the home side are attacking. Referees don't blow up until it goes down the other end.

"But I don't think the fourth official should be shaking hands with the Birmingham staff while we are trying to make a substitution. He should be concentrating."