Billy Davies and Neil Warnock were locked in an angry war of words after Crystal Palace defender Clint Hill floored Nottingham Forest winger Paul Anderson in the 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.

Darren Ambrose's 40th-minute free-kick gave Palace a lead that was cancelled out by David McGoldrick's leveller three minutes after the break, but Forest manager Davies was enraged after Hill appeared to elbow Anderson on the stroke of half-time, sparking a melee in front of the dug-outs.

Davies said: "I would say it was a red card. And when Neil Warnock doesn't complain to you at the side of the pitch then you know he also knows. He's a very fortunate manager and he's a very fortunate player because it was a very blatant elbow in my opinion."

Hill and Forest right-back Chris Gunter were booked for squaring up to each other during the skirmish, but the Palace man escaped further punishment after referee Graham Horwood decided the challenge was not deliberate.

Davies continued: "The referee says there was no malicious intent which I find quite staggering.

"Paul Anderson is ok, but he's a lucky boy. The medical people wanted him to come off straight away and he didn't look too comfortable."