February 23 2008

The Football League

Crystal Palace's play-off hopes were dealt a blow with a 2-0 defeat at home to Wolves.

Second half goals from Michael Gray and Kevin Kyle wrapped up the points for the visiting club.

Palace's first opportunity came from Tom Soares but his header flew wide of Wayne Hennessey's right-side post.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake headed Karl Henry's free-kick right at Eagles stopper Julian Speroni before the Argentine beat Stephen Elliott's long-range strike out for a corner. Jody Craddock nodded the flag kick off target.

Shefki Kuqi tried his luck from 20 yards but Hennessey easily collected before Carl Fletcher had a go from 25 yards.

Just before the break, Speroni made a comfortable save from Wolves star Elliott as a drab first half came to a close.

At the beginning of the second half, Ebanks-Blake and David Edwards blazed shots wide of the upright.

Eagles midfielder Ben Watson and Fletcher tried their luck from distance and substitute Paul Ifill headed over as the hosts searched for an opener.

After Neil Warnock brought on James Scowcroft and Clinton Morrison to freshen up the attack, Wolves stole the lead in the 76th minute as Gray curled a 18 yard effort into the top corner.

Although Wolves lost keeper Hennessey through injury in the 87th minute, striker Kyle doubled their advantage a minute from time.

The substitute blasted a 25-yard shot that gave Speroni no chance, and despite half chances from Ifill and Fletcher, Palace couldn't find the net.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, Hudson, Hill, Soares (Ifill 58), Fletcher, Watson, Derry, Hills (Morrison 57), Kuqi (Scowcroft 69).

Not Used: Fonte, Scannell.

Wolverhampton: Hennessey (Stack 87), Collins, Breen, Craddock, Elokobi, Henry, Potter, David Edwards, Elliott (Foley 87), Gray, Ebanks-Blake (Kyle 81).

Not Used: Olofinjana, Eastwood.