April 15 2006

Andy Johnson

Crystal Palace clinched a play-off place in a 2-2 draw at home to Crewe, by Peter Gillman.

But the result was a travesty after the Eagles outplayed and outclassed their opponents for most of the game.

Palace had already spurned several good chances by the time AJ put them ahead on 28 minutes. A Marco Reich cross was headed back across goal by a Crewe defender to AJ, who blasted home from six yards.

Palace made it 2-0 moments before half-time when Dougie back-heeled a pass from Soares to put AJ clear just beyond the centre circle. AJ skipped past the keeper and steered the ball home from wide on the right.

Palace’s dominance continued in the second half with long passages of play when Crewe failed to get a touch. Dougie lobbed the ball wide of an empty net after interplay with AJ, and Crewe’s keeper Turnbull made several good saves.

The pivotal moment came on 62 minutes when a 20-yard pile-driver from Soares was deflected on to the inside of Turnbull's post. The fans were already cheering for Palace's third but the ball spun back across the goal to go for a corner on the far side.

Crewe had their first shot on target on 64 minutes when Kiraly tipped over a shot from Steve Jones. They pegged a goal back four minutes later when the veteran Kenny Lunt put through Rodgers who blasted past Kiraly.

Palace continued to press but Crewe astonishingly levelled on 68 minutes after referee Russell harshly awarded a penalty when a through ball bounced up off the wet surface and clipped Soares on the arm. Kiraly guessed correctly by diving to his right but was unable to keep out Lunt’s neat shot.

Palace had more chances to win the game, the best coming when AJ was clear yet again and tried to beat Turnbull on the near post instead of crossing to unmarked colleagues inside the six-yard box.

Although Palace are in the playoffs the dropped two points could cost them home advantage in the second leg of the semi-finals. The quality of their play was encouraging for the run-in but it remained disappointing that they could not clinch a victory.

Palace: Kiraly; Boyce, Ward, Hudson, Borrowdale; Soares, Watson, Hughes, Reich (Leigertwood 76); Freedman, Johnson.

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