Bristol City are one game away from the promised land of the Barclays Premier League after Gary Johnson’s team rode their luck to defeat Crystal Palace with two goals in extra time of last night’s Coca-Cola Championship play-offs semi-final, second leg. Neil Warnock, the outspoken Palace manager, needed a posse of security guards to make it back to the dressing-room after the final whistle as thousands of City fans invaded the pitch amid chaotic scenes.

Warnock, who is no stranger to controversy, had accused City players of celebrating as if they had already made it to Wembley after they won the first leg 2-1 at Selhurst Park last Saturday and several fans gave him a piece of their minds as he stumbled towards the safety of the players’ tunnel, which is about 50 metres away from the dugouts at Ashton Gate.

“One young yobbo caught me,” Warnock said. “I think one of the security guards got him because I heard him squeal, but millions of people would probably like to have a pop at me.” Warnock is supposed to be a bad loser, but the Palace manager made a point of going into the dressing-room to congratulate Johnson’s team at the end of a match that hung in the balance until Lee Trundle and Michael McIndoe scored in extra time.

Earlier, benefiting from Sean Derry’s cool head in midfield and Scott Sinclair’s pace and skill, Palace levelled the aggregate score in the 25th minute when Ben Watson took advantage of a mix-up in the home team’s defence to score his seventh goal of the season with a looping header over Adriano Basso, the City goalkeeper.

Watson had the perfect opportunity to put Palace ahead and on course for Wembley midway through the second half after Nick Carle fouled Tom Soares in the penalty area but the former England Under-21 midfield player hit a post from the penalty spot.

“I can’t blame Ben for missing because I couldn’t bear to watch him taking the penalty,” Warnock said. “There were a few tears in the dressing-room but at least I can go on holiday a week earlier now. This has been one of the best seasons in my whole career. When I arrived here last year I thought that I needed to buy ten new players. Some of the players I had out tonight are older than me. They’re ready for the knacker’s yard.”

Watson’s miss gave City hope and they capitalised on their superior fitness levels in extra time as Trundle curled a left-foot strike past Julian Speroni before McIndoe wrapped up the victory with a free kick from 25 yards.

“There were close shaves at both ends, but we’re in the biggest game in the world now,” Johnson said. “I trust my players and they trust me and I knew that I could rely on their fitness and commitment.”

City were in the relegation zone in League One when Johnson arrived at the club in September 2005, but they are now one game away from returning to the top flight for the first time in 28 years. They will play Hull City or Watford a week on Saturday in a game that is worth about £60 million to the winners. “I can’t tell you how proud I am,” Johnson said. “We have got a very big game in ten days’ time.”

Bristol City (4-4-2): A Basso — B Orr, L Carey, J McCombe, J McAllister — D Noble (sub: I Sproule, 91min), M Elliott, N Carle (sub: L Fontaine, 113), M McIndoe — D Adebola, L Trundle (sub: L Johnson, 109). Substitutes not used: C Weale, D Byfield. Booked: Carle.

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): J Speroni — D Butterfield, M Lawrence (sub: J Fonte, 46), M Hudson, C Hill — T Soares, B Watson, S Derry (sub: V Moses, 105) — S Scannell, C Morrison, S Sinclair (sub: P Ifill, 112). Substitutes not used: T Craig, C Fletcher. Booked: Hill, Morrison.

Referee: H Webb.