DISABLED Sunderland football fans were attacked and abused by rival supporters following a crunch match.

More than 200 Crystal Palace supporters surged on to the pitch at Selhurst Park after the South London team's 3-2 first leg victory over the Black Cats in the First Division play-offs.

Some ran over to away fans, goaded them and threw punches. Sunderland's disabled supporters, in the front row of the stands, bore the brunt of the hooliganism.

Freda Oyston, 63, the secretary of Sunderland AFC Disabled Supporters and Escorts, said: "It was absolutely disgusting. In the 22 seasons I have been following Sunderland home and away, I have never seen anything like this.

Black Cats fan Barry Render, 33, who has Down's syndrome, was hit in the face by the arm of a Palace fan and was caught up in the melee before he was rescued by a carer.

Witnesses also reported how another disabled supporter, also in his 30s, was repeatedly slapped in the face by a Palace fan.

Mrs Oyston, of Durham, who is a registered diabetic, said: "Our wheelchair supporters were put in with the home fans and some of them were attacked as well. They were hurling insults at them, calling them cripples.

"As far as I am concerned, Crystal Palace should be kicked out of this competition."

She is due to speak to police today about Friday night's scenes and will write to the Football Assocation to call for better facilities for disabled fans to prevent it happening again.

The invasion happened when Crystal Palace supporters breached a cordon of stewards at the end of the game.

They tried to join manager Iain Dowie and his players celebrating their victory.

A minority then made their way to the Sunderland enclosure, where they began to chant and insult visiting fans.

About 50 Black Cats supporters went on the pitch, and some traded blows with rivals until police and stewards separated the sides and cleared the pitch.

No one from Crystal Palace FC was available for comment yesterday.