A FRACAS at Colchester United's FA Cup match with Accrington Stanley has been reported to the Football Association.Accrington manager John Coleman claimed he had been elbowed in the face by a steward in the player's tunnel at half-time during the match on Tuesday night at Layer Road.

A FRACAS at Colchester United's FA Cup match with Accrington Stanley has been reported to the Football Association.

Accrington manager John Coleman claimed he had been elbowed in the face by a steward in the player's tunnel at half-time during the match on Tuesday night at Layer Road.

Mr Coleman, who is also a primary school teacher in Liverpool, apparently wanted to speak to the referee, Phil Joslin, because he was unhappy with a decision to disallow the non-league side a goal in the tenth minute.

It is claimed he was trying to follow Mr Joslin down the player's tunnel at half-time, but was held back by stewards, resulting in the alleged elbowing.

There was then some general "pushing and shoving" which resulted in the referee ordering Mr Coleman to spend the rest of the game in the stand, rather than the dug-out.

Colchester United chief executive Marie Partner said: "Having had the alleged incident reported to me involving the Accrington manager John Coleman, at no time do I think that one of our stewards would knowingly elbow Mr Coleman in the face.

"I think that perhaps with the heat of the moment and the passion that had been seen throughout the game, this is an incident that he may now regret."

She added: "I understand that it has now been reported by the referee, the fourth official and the assessor present on Tuesday night.

"This will be in turn sent to the FA and, from what I can gather at this stage, the FA will report to us if they feel it is something we need to deal with.

"It is such a regrettable incident in what was a really great night, with a well controlled game and great support from both set of fans."

Accrington general manager Robert Heyssaid: "As far as the club's concerned, it's not a club matter. John Coleman has made a complaint against a steward. We are supportive of our manager, but we won't be getting involved as a football club. It's between John Coleman and the steward."

Insp Paul Fieldsend, the Essex Police commander present at the game said the matter was sorted out at the time.

"As far as we are concerned it was dealt with at the time by the referee, who I understand spoke to the Accrington Stanley manager.

"He then spent the rest of the game in the stand rather than the dug-out.

"There have been no complaints made by any party, and I guess it will be dealt with by the FA after they get the referee's report."

Mr Fieldsend added that there had been a larger than anticipated crowd at the match and that fans on both sides had been "impeccably" behaved, despite the pitch-side problems.

"It is a pity. That sort of thing never gives football a good name. Usually it is the fans who let down football, but last night it was not."

A spokesperson from the FA said there would no comment until the Association have received the referee's report, which is expected in a couple of days.

Colchester won the game 2-1 and play Coventry in the Fourth Round.