POLICE today admitted they pulled out of Maine Road minutes before Manchester City's last ditch winner sparked a riot.

They tried to get back into the stadium but were blocked by thousands of fans leaving the ground.

Club stewards and a small number of officers were left to battle with the Coventry thugs who rioted after City's late winner. Senior officers insisted today that they were ''entirely happy'' with their policing of the match, but will review tactics.

Although more than 100 Coventry fans were involved, only three were arrested in connection with the fighting. Officers were today preparing to study videotape to identify more culprits.

Today, City denied one fan's claim that there were not enough stewards. The club said they had 250 on duty which was more than normal. The match had been without incident when police pulled most of their officers outside the ground to prepare to segregate supporters.

But with only seconds remaining, substitute Shaun Goater headed an unlikely winner and the ground erupted. A group of Coventry fans in the North Stand surged across the empty seats and attacked City supporters in the main stand.

Trouble continued for more than 10 minutes until officers were able to get into the stand.

Chief Insp Chris Marshall said: ''It was completely unacceptable behaviour and we will do everything possible to trace those responsible. The stewards did a great job.

''We did leave a contingent of officers in the ground at the end but the majority were brought outside. It was a flexible use of resources and common and usual practice.''

One Manchester City fan accused the club of putting supporters' safety at risk by not having enough stewards at big games. Neil Calcutt said: ''It is a disgrace. There are always more away fans at cup games so there should be more stewards.''