Northampton fans invade the pitch and 'throw a flare at Mansfield players' after their League Two play-off semi-final defeat in MORE disgraceful EFL scenes... just 24 hours after Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp was headbutted by a supporter

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Northampton fans invaded the pitch and reportedly threw a flare towards Mansfield players after their defeat in the League Two playoff semi-finals.

The Cobblers were unable to overturn a 2-1 deficit in Wednesday's second leg at Sixfields Stadium, instead losing 1-0 on the night and crashing out with a 3-1 aggregate defeat.

Yet a couple of their supporters did not take the elimination well, with two home fans somehow getting past stewards and onto the pitch before making a beeline for Mansfield stars.

Northampton fans reportedly threw a flare towards Mansfield players after their playoff defeat

One appeared to confront Stags striker Jordan Bowery, while The Sun are reporting that a flare was even thrown at the visiting side.

The incident comes just 24 hours after Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United's Championship playoff semi-final was marred by fan unrest.

When Forest supporters invaded the pitch after their penalty shootout victory, Sky Sports cameras captured the moment one disgraced fan laid a headbutt on Billy Sharp and sent the United striker tumbling to the floor.

A man has been arrested by Nottinghamshire police, while Forest insist they will be issuing a life ban.

Two home fans broke onto the pitch at Sixfields after Mansfield got the better of their side

Security soon intervened when the supporters made a beeline for Mansfield players

The fans even targeted them with a flare, which was removed by Northampton's Fraser Horsfall

Blades forward Oli McBurnie is also at the centre of controversy after a video circulating online appears to show him stamping on a Forest supporter during the pitch invasion.

However, McBurnie has taken to Twitter to suggest he was actually trying to step over the fan at the City Ground. 

Clubs were threatened with stadium closures and points deductions on Wednesday following the unsavoury scenes in Nottingham.

An EFL statement said: ‘We recognise this lawlessness is being conducted by a small minority of individuals and the majority attending matches are a credit to their club. 

‘However, it is not acceptable for fans to enter the field of play at any time given the EFL’s objective is to ensure our matches remain safe and welcoming for all.

It comes 24 hours after Sheffield United's Billy Sharp was attacked by a Nottingham Forest fan 

‘This summer we will consider what further measures are at our disposal, including the potential use of capacity reductions or similar mitigations. Punitive action will follow for those who continue to disregard ground regulations and break the law at matches.’

Before the latest ugly EFL fan scenes, Stephen McLaughlin scored the only goal of Wednesday's second leg between Northampton and Mansfield at Sixfields.

His strike gave Nigel Clough's side a two-goal cushion and allowed them to cruise to the Wembley final, where they will take on Port Vale or Swindon for a place in League One. 

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