April 30 2006

Clinton Morrison

Crystal Palace lost a lacklustre match at Bramall Lane, going down to a late Sheffield strike after having a goal of their own unjustly ruled offside.

The outcome, combined with results from elsewhere, confirms that Palace will meet Watford in the playoff semi-finals.

With Sheffield in a party mood, there was little excitement in the first half until Watson threaded a perfectly-judged pass to Clinton as he broke from the 18-yard line.

Clinton, who was clearly in line with two defenders as Watson made the pass, angled his shot past Kenny for what looked like Palace’s first away goal in three matches. But the lino raised his flag to have the goal disallowed for offside.

Both sides stepped up their efforts in the second half and Clinton missed Palace’s best chance when he headed over a Reich cross from eight yards.

The match appeared to be heading for the predictable nil-all draw when sloppy Palace defending let in Sheffield on 81 minutes. First Watson gave away a needless corner. Then Gillespie went unchallenged as he crossed into the Palace area, where Morgan sent a free header into Kiraly’s far corner.

Although the result does not affect the playoff places, it was troubling that Palace once again failed to score away from home, even though Dowie had rested AJ.

There was consolation in a six-minute appearance by Palace hero Brian Deane, back on his home turf after sending Palace into the playoffs with his goal for West Ham against Wigan two seasons ago.

Palace: Kiraly; Hall (Butterfield 57), Popovic, Ward (Hudson 76), Borrowdale; Reich, Watson, Soares, McAnuff; Morrison, Freedman (Macken 65). Subs unused: Speroni, Leigertwood.