Warnock attacked as fans storm pitch

The Football Association are set to investigate the chaotic scenes that followed Bristol City's Championship play-off victory over Crystal Palace last night.

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.