Fan attacks Sharp during pitch invasion | Heckingbottom: It's out of order

Paul Heckingbottom called on authorities to exact the most stringent punishment after Billy Sharp was attacked in the wake of Sheffield United's play-off semi-final defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The Blades overturned a two-goal deficit to level the tie at 3-3 on aggregate and force extra-time and penalties at the City Ground but their spirited fightback was extinguished in the shootout when goalkeeper Brice Samba saved three spot-kicks to send Forest to Wembley.

Forest jubilation at the prospect of ending their 23-year absence from the Premier League, providing they beat Huddersfield in the final on May 29, spilled from the stands into a pitch invasion which was overshadowed by an unprovoked attack on Blades striker Sharp.

Sharp, who was injured and did not feature for Sheffield United in the play-off semi-final second leg, watched on from the touchline as the Forest supporters celebrated their 3-2 penalty shootout victory before appearing to be blind-sided by a charging supporter.

Manager Heckingbottom condemned the attack which is understood to have left Sharp requiring stitches.

He told Sky Sports: "I watch every Monday Night Football, every Super Sunday, my time up in Scotland, there has been so many people talking about seeing things thrown on the pitch, fans invading the pitch, seeing things that put players' health and safety in danger. And nothing is ever done about it. There will be something done about this.

"We've seen it. We know what has happened. There is a prison sentence there without a doubt. How can you come to your place of work, minding your own business and get assaulted in that fashion? It's bang out of order. Too many times we'll hear people condemning it and nothing is done about it. We're the