February 18 2006

Ben Watson

Palace could only draw at the Den, conceding a late goal after appearing in control of the game, writes Peter Gillman.

Palace went into the lead in the 67th minute with a goal from Ben Watson, who hit home a pass along the 18-yard line by Michael Hughes.

Watson, the man who scored the last-minute equaliser against Millwall at Selhurst earlier in the season, drove into the bottom left of the Millwall net after shaking off a challenge from Millwall defender Zak Whitbread.

Watson nearly doubled the score four minutes later when Millwall keeper Andy Marshall tipped over his 20-yard shot.

Apart from that Palace’s best chance had come as early as the first minute when Dougie was put through by Clinton and shot against Marshall’s chest.

They also had two penalty shouts in the second half which referee Lee Mason turned down.

Millwall had a late opening with five minutes left but a cross by Barry Cogan was cleared without danger. Then, on 89 minutes, Millwall's Ben May swung a foot at a speculative cross into the Palace box and stabbed the ball home from 10 yards.

With Cardiff winning at home, the gap between the two playoff rivals has narrowed to five points.

Millwall: A Marshall, M Lawrence, Z Whitbread, M Phillips, T Craig, P Ifil, M Elliott, D Livermore, L Dyer, B May, B Powel.

Subs: A Dunne, B Cogan, C Doyle, K Braniff, M Williams.

Crystal Palace: G Kiraly, E Boyce, D Ward, F Hall, G Borrowdale, J McAnuff, M Hughes, B Watson, T Soares, D Freedman, C Morrison.

Subs: M Leigertwood, W Andrews, J Speroni, A Fray, L Grabban.

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