Spain's heroic 4-3 victory over Yugoslavia at Euro 2000 on Wednesday was marred by some security lapses, including an incident at the end when the referee was hit in the eye by a coin thrown from the crowd.

The first lapse in security occurred when a Yugoslav fan ran onto the field to protest the sending-off Slavisa Jokanovic in the 62nd minute and had to be escorted away by police.

Amazingly - perhaps because he was wearing a tracksuit and looked a little like a steward - no one dragged him off the pitch until he had reached referee Gilles Veissiere of France and screamed abuse in his face.

That was followed by two more incidents at the end of an incredible game which saw Spain score two goals deep into injury time to book a place in the Quarter-finals.

A man draped in a Yugoslav flag broke through stewards and barbed wire and ran the full length of the pitch in a bid to attack the referee. The Spanish players protected the official until stewards belatedly came to his assistance.

On his way off the field, Veissiere was struck in the eye by a coin thrown from the stand, while flares were thrown onto the pitch after each of the Yugoslav goals.

A UEFA spokesman confirmed: 'The referee was hit in the eye by a coin. He was bleeding from the cut but it's not a serious injury.'

UEFA have yet to make any further comment on the matter but they are certain to investigate as they look to ensure a problem-free end to the tournament's knock-out stages.