Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd faces being banned from the touchline for the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final against Leeds after being sent to the stands following a huge brawl.

This goalless draw in the semi-final second leg against Crystal Palace ensured Boothroyd's men play the club he left to join Watford for a place in the Barclays Premiership in Cardiff on May 21.

But this match will be remembered for the second-half bust-up involving virtually every player, both managers and members of the respective back-room staffs.

Fitz Hall appeared to throw a punch at Boothroyd, and Palace chief Iain Dowie also seemed to raise a fist in the skirmish.

There was no such excitement on the pitch, where Palace rarely threatened, and Watford progressed to the Millennium Stadium final thanks to their 3-0 win at Selhurst Park in the first leg.

To compound the visitors' misery, they lost captain Michael Hughes with a suspected broken arm.

Palace needed a vibrant start if they were to worry the home side, but they failed to create a clear opportunity in the opening phase of the match.

Their first half-chance came in the 12th minute, Jobi McAnuff volleying over from 15 yards after Watford defender Malky Mackay had headed Hall's long throw into the winger's path.

In the 19th minute, Andrew Johnson - who is on standby for the England World Cup squad - ran onto a clever pass from the recalled Dougie Freedman after Tom Soares had won possession in midfield, but the striker was prevented from scoring by the alertness of goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The visitors could have fallen behind in the 41st minute, but they were rescued by Hall's superb sliding challenge after Tony Popovic's poor control had let in Watford's top scorer Marlon King.

Without warning, the match turned ugly on the hour mark when Hornets boss Boothroyd rolled the ball behind him to prevent Hall taking a quick throw-in.

The Palace defender took exception to this and seemed to threw a half-hearted punch at Boothroyd, causing a huge brawl close to the dug-outs involving virtually every player, both managers and members of their coaching teams.

Palace chief Dowie also appeared to raise an arm in the melee, which stewards had to quell.

Referee Steve Tanner sent Boothroyd to the stands and booked Hall, but the incident raised tension levels considerably.

King twice went close for Watford in the closing stages, while at the other end Gavin Mahon put a clearance just over his own crossbar.

Teams

Watford: Foster, Doyley, Mackay, DeMerit, Stewart, Spring,

Bangura, Mahon, Chambers (Henderson 75), Young, King.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Eagles, McNamee, Mariappa.

Booked: Bangura.

Crystal Palace: Kiraly, Borrowdale, Fitz Hall,

Popovic (Reich 69), Boyce, Soares, Hughes (Watson 45),

Leigertwood, McAnuff, Johnson, Freedman (Macken 58).

Subs Not Used: Hudson, Andrews.

Booked: Fitz Hall.

Att: 19,041

Ref: S Tanner (Somerset).