Bristol City boss Gary Johnson warned his players to keep the champagne on ice after Tuesday night's thrilling Championship semi-final victory over Crystal Palace.
The Robins will now face either Hull or Watford at Wembley on May 24 with a
place in the Premier League the reward for the winner.
Ben Watson's first-half header had drawn Palace level on aggregate follow
City's 2-1 win on Saturday but the Eagles midfielder turned from hero to villain
when he missed a penalty with 18 minutes remaining.
That ensured the game went to extra time and the home side found another gear
when it mattered, with Lee Trundle and Michael McIndoe strikes earning them
victory by the same scoreline and a 4-2 aggregate win.
Fans flooded on to the Ashton Gate pitch at the final whistle as the Wembley
dream became a reality.
However, Johnson was keen to keep his players' feet on the ground by reminding
them an even bigger game is just around the corner.
'There's a way to celebrate. They have got to be happy but they have still
got to play this game in 10 days time,' he said.
'I don't think they dare (drink), I wouldn't even say they could or they
couldn't.
'You can enjoy yourself in the right way, can't you? If you go out and get
blotto then you are not going to be ready in 10 days time in my opinion.
'But they know the rules, we're still in the season and they can enjoy
themselves in the summer.'
It was a first play-off semi-final defeat in six attempts for Palace boss Neil
Warnock, who refused to blame Watson for their exit.
'I am just disappointed because if we had scored the penalty I think we would
have won the game. I could tell from their faces it was a chance to kill the
game - but that is life.
'Ben had the guts to take it so I can't knock him. He will have to live with
that but I can't fault him.
'There are a few tears in the dressing room but it is probably one of the
most successful seasons I have had given the raw materials I started with. They
have all been revelations and I couldn't be prouder.'
The Palace boss revealed one supporter had thrown a punch at him but was quick
to make light of the situation.
'One young yobbo caught me. I think one of the security guards trod on him as
he fell to the floor because I heard him squeal,' he added.
'He needs his eyesight looking at because he was that close I don't know how
he missed, he just grazed me. There's millions of people who would like to do
that!'
