Leeds manager Simon Grayson is to make an official complaint after claiming three of his players were punched during a pitch invasion at Carlisle tonight.

Leeds lost a penalty shoot-out as Carlisle won the right to meet Southampton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley on March 28.

Celebrating Carlisle fans invaded the pitch and Grayson said: “Three of my players have been caught by punches and the police have done nothing about getting the players off the pitch quicker and protecting them.

“The stewards have done nothing about it and that is a serious issue for me.

“You can’t get away from the exuberance of Carlisle’s fans because I am sure they were excited but I am disappointed how the stewards and police reacted to the situation.

“One man was on the pitch for two minutes before anyone decided to do anything about it. He could quite easily have done anything to my players. I will be taking this up at a higher level.”

One of the Leeds players punched from behind was left back Shane Lowry, who had his penalty saved as Carlisle won the shoot-out 6-5.

There were also complaints that a blue beam was shone from the crowd into Leeds players’ faces as they took their penalty kicks.