Crawley manager Francis Vines was arrested and cautioned by the police following his side's 2-0 defeat at Woking on Saturday.

Vines was escorted from Kingfield Stadium shortly after the final whistle for allegedly using threatening language in a fracas with Woking player Jon Boardman and a steward.

Vines was angry after Reds had Sacha Opinel and Sean Hankin sent off three minutes after half-time. Woking were then awarded a controversial penalty soon afterwards, which was converted by Ian Selley, before adding a second through Steve Evans three minutes later.

In a statement on the Crawley Town website, Vines said: "As I walked to the tunnel (at the end of the game) I saw the steward who had previously grabbed me and told him not to ever touch me again.

"It was childish, I know, and this is truthfully the only part of the events that I regret. He replied that he would if he had to and, of course, still being wrapped up in the post-match tension I retorted: 'No you won't'.

"Again, there were no raised hands or voices and it could not even be said he felt threatened by my size as he was a few inches taller than me. I was then asked to move on by the police, who happened to be there, or I would be arrested. This I did without further words being exchanged.

"The police then came into the dressing room some three to five minutes later and arrested me for using abusive or insulting words, I was not handcuffed and I was escorted to Woking Police Station.

"At the station the allegation made was that I had said to the steward that I 'would knock his block off'. I hadn't said this at all. However, upon advice from a solicitor and a desire to go home and put this sorry affair behind me, I accepted the caution and was released."

Steve Duly, Crawley's managing director, said: "We are all staggered by the events yesterday.

"Francis and I have worked closely together over the last two years of his control of the club and the allegations are totally alien to his manner and demeanour.

"The club will be taking no further action against Francis, as we believe that his actions were no different to hundreds of managers and coaches up and down the country on any given Saturday."