Luton promise investigation after York players are attacked by fans

Luton Town 0 York City 1

The Luton Town chairman Nick Owen has vowed to hold an investigation into the scenes which followed his side's failed attempt to return to the Football League. The Hatters lost 1-0 to York in the Conference play-off semi-final second leg at Kenilworth Road, with Chris Carruthers' 47th-minute goal ensuring York of a 2-0 aggregate victory which sets up a Wembley showdown against Oxford. However, their victory was marred by a pitch invasion after the final whistle, which left York's players needing the aid of stewards and police to escape to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms, via the away end, as missiles were thrown.

Owen said: "It's absolutely dreadful, I can't condone it. One or two of our fans today have let the club down – to be honest, it's shattering. We're not going to Wembley and the final but in many ways what's more devastating is to see what happened on the pitch after the game. There will be an investigation by us and no doubt by the authorities – but it doesn't look good for Luton at this minute. Hopefully it gets cleared up and there are no serious repercussions."

York chairman Jason McGill said: "It's taken the gloss off the win – we won't be able to celebrate until we're going home." He claimed striker Richard Brodie was struck by a pound coin and claimed: "I was very nervous for our supporters and players. There was a lot of coin throwing towards our players and supporters – it wasn't very good at all.

"We've not discussed what Luton are going to do. We've got to let the proper authorities take the right course of action. But the scenes were pretty bad. I've not witnessed anything like that since I've been in football – it's very difficult to take."

Minstermen manager Martin Foyle added: "Give the stewards credit: when it happened they took the players into the away end. It was a scary time but the players are safe."

In the other semi-final second leg Oxford beat Rushden & Diamonds 2-0 to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory.