ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman was involved in a touchline fracas as his side crashed out of the FA Cup.

The Reds boss said he was elbowed in the face as he made his way to speak to the referee at half-time in his side's 2-1 third round replay defeat at Division Two side Colchester. He was banished to the stands for the second half but said he would complain to police about the match day stewards.

Coleman, who wanted to question Phil Joslin about his decision not to award striker Lutel James a first-half penalty, said: "I was walking off the pitch and said to the ref 'can I have a word'. He said 'no'. Then I spoke to the linesman and he said he didn't think it was a penalty and I said fine.

"I went to follow them down the tunnel and I was pushed out of the way by someone. I've gone to walk again and I was elbowed. I was just wanting to go to the dressing room to talk to the players. The police said they would take a statement off me and make an official report.

"I'm not happy because that wouldn't happen at our ground and I don't expect that to happen at a professional ground."