POLICE were called to restore order at a York football cup final after fighting broke out between rival supporters.

Officers remained on the touchline for the rest of the match after the violence took ten minutes to bring under control.

The incident happened after two Clifton players were sent off in the York FA Sunday Afternoon League cup final between Clifton FC and St John's College at the RI ground in New Lane, Acomb, yesterday.

A simmering game erupted following the dismissals in the second half of extra-time. The fighting, which was described by York FA Secretary Bob Grainger as "a nasty incident", came with the score at 1-1.

Mr Grainger said he believed a spectator had phoned the police to ask them to attend the match.

He praised the referee, Mike Tyas, for taking the game to a conclusion.

The incident has now been referred to the North Riding County FA.

Mr Grainger said: "The players got sent off and it just spilled over on the touchline. It took a bit of time to calm things down and the referee did a magnificent job restoring order.

"We requested officers to stay at the scene and we asked the RI officials to close the bar. We just thought that we didn't want anything else to fuel the situation."

Sgt Colin Ventress, of York Police, confirmed there had been a request for officers to attend the game after a scuffle between rival supporters. He said the police remained on the touchline until the presentations had been made.

St John's College won the match 3-2 on penalties.

Updated: 10:45 Tuesday, May 04, 2004