a Bristol derby yesterday when the televised match between Second Division neighbours Bristol City and Bristol Rovers ended in mayhem.

The English Football Association launched an immediate inquiry after Rovers fans invaded the pitch when their side scored an equaliser in injury time, wiping out the lead Paul Agostino had given City in the 16th minute.

About 50 jubilant Rovers fans initially spilled onto the pitch and had to be restrained by Police. Play was halted for five minutes while order was restored.

An estimated 100 home supporters stormed onto the ground and chased the Rovers players off the pitch after the final whistle.

"I knew it was an important game but I didn't get the importance of it until after they scored,'' said Goater, who came on as a substitute with about 20 minutes remaining.

It was Goater's first involvement in a Bristol derby since his transfer from Rotherham United in the summer. He had missed the previous three games with a knee injury.

"Prior to that it seemed like a normal game. All that (invasion) took away from the spirit of the game.'' The trouble began when Rovers fans among the 18,674 crowd invaded the pitch to celebrate their equaliser.

"The stewarts and Police tried to get them back and that enticed the City supporters to go down there and want to fight them,'' said Goater.

"It was definitely the worst thing I've experienced. You normally see those things on TV.'' Bermuda's other professional in England, Walsall's Kyle Lightbourne, was also at the match, sitting in the stands among City fans.

"I was on the opposite side and where I was sitting none of the fans came onto the pitch,'' said Lightbourne, whose team drew 1-1 with Watford the day before.

"The City fans were singing to the Rovers fans all day and when they scored in the last minute I guess it was too much for them to take. Both teams went out there and gave 100 percent commitment.

"It was a good atmosphere and a good local derby. You can't really fault the players, it was just a few spectators who couldn't handle it, I guess. It means so much to them.

"I enjoyed it, it was a big crowd there and a good atmosphere.'' The result dented both teams' promotion hopes as they lost valuable ground on the leaders.

"It was a typical derby game but events have been overtaken by what happened after the game,'' said City manager Joe Jordan.

"It's disgraceful...a lot of people have let us down today.''