Warnock's blast at referee's assistant

Boss Neil Warnock blasted Trevor Massey after accusing the referee's assistant of gifting Villa an FA Cup lifeline – costing his Crystal Palace team a quarter-final place.

The financially-stricken Eagles were on course for the last eight with three minutes to go after Darren Ambrose's brilliant free-kick had put them 2-1 up at Selhurst Park.

But Massey incorrectly flagged for a corner when the ball had hit Nathan Delfouneso and Stiliyan Petrov took advantage by netting with a superb diving header for Villa to force a replay.

Warnock said: "It's disappointing. I have been told Mr Massey says that if he's got it wrong he'll be suspended for the next few games. I just said to him 'when you're sat on your settee and you're suspended, will you think about us?'

"The referee and the linesman should see from that position that it's a goal kick and not a corner. He said that he saw it, but the thing is he didn't see it. He's given it to Villa and they've scored a goal.

"I actually thought the referee Kevin Friend had a great game. I just thought he was let down by someone who I thought was very poor. I won't have any sympathy if he is suspended.

"I hope it is for a long time. I have asked him if he realises how hard it is for a side that can't afford this, that or the other against a top side, probably the second best side left in the competition,

"We do everything right and we are not let down by anything that is a football matter, we are let down by something which is purely incompetent."