Neil Warnock is hoping to escape disciplinary action from the Football Association despite his fierce criticism of referee Paul Taylor.

The Crystal Palace manager was livid with the official after he sent off Nick Carle and failed to award a penalty in the goalless draw with Birmingham last night.

Instead of launching his own verbal attack, Warnock chose to quote ex-Man Utd assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, who criticised referee Martin Atkinson after their FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth last March. Queiroz escaped censure by the FA.

Warnock said: "Let me get old Carlos out and remind you what he said: 'The referee is a disgrace and he didn't do his job. This referee deserves someone to come to the side of the pitch after five minutes and give him a red card and pull him out of the game. This is my opinion'."