Crystal Palace - 1 (Austin 63.)
Birmingham City 2 (Upson og 48. Adebola 59.)

Palace went into this match on the back of three consecutive losses, but just as importantly they had not managed to score a goal in the whole 270 minutes of football. This time round they managed to address one of those matters, but the small subject of winning a match somehow escaped them! It must be admitted that this was a far better showing from the team, but there is obviously a need for further improvement. In the forum conducted with Simon Jordan on Monday night he anticipated that we would take a point from Birmingham, and then take all the points "away" to Wimbledon on Saturday. Though wrong on the first count he did also mention that in the games remaining this season we took 21 points from the same teams earlier in the year. At least the team managed to repeat the performance (a 2-1 loss), so maybe he will be right in that prediction? One can only hope so, but a reality check of about 9-12 points should see the team safe for the rest of this season.

The game got underway in very poor conditions; the heavy rain and swirling winds make any sort of convincing play somewhat difficult to say the least. Despite an entertaining first half of football, with many chances at each end, the teams managed to go to the break without troubling the scorers, though they certainly troubled the keepers.

Early chances fell to Amir Karic and Steve Thomson, but good saves from Ian Bennett (who was most likely the most impressive player on the pitch all night) denied the Eagles a positive start to the game. In the first move forward for the visitors the ball was suddenly in the back of the net, off a good effort by Jon McCarthy, but to the relief of the partisan crowd the linesman was standing firm, indicating offside.

Mikael Forssell then tested the keeper at the other end, but once again he was equal to the task. An early clash of heads held the game up for a while, the result being that Jeremy Gill replaced Martin Grainger. Mikael once again let fly a wicked shot, but the keeper managed to just tip it around the corner of the post to give Palace a corner. Dougie Freedman then managed to repeat the original effort at the other end, his shot going in the back of the goal, but the linesman once again indicated offside.

The final two shots of the half went to Bryan Hughes, a very poor effort, and Dougie who wasted a chance when finally clear on goal.

So, despite the action, the teams went to the break without a score on the board, though either side could have been well ahead if they had seen any luck on the night. Despite the poor conditions Alan Smith may well have been disappointed with the finishing, but a skilful keeper at the other end denied a lot of our opportunities.

The second half had only just started when Andrew Johnson failed to score as he was just too slow to the ball, but the goal did not take long to come. Nicky Eaden made a cross into the area, and though it looked as if the ball was going nowhere Matthew Upson managed to get his head to it, wrongfooting Alex Kolinko in goal, and suddenly we were once again 1-0 down. Dele Adebola should have made it two just a minute later, but his shot went straight to the keeper, but even this was not a problem shortly after, as he managed to get past the defence and slot the ball past Alex once again.

So here we go again, thought most of the Palace faithful.

Two minutes later we managed to get yet another corner; we had eleven to their two; and this time the ball was thundering towards the back of the net courtesy of Dougie. In a last moment attempt to help the ball on its' way Dean Austin got a foot to the ball, and though it was almost certainly going to be a goal, ensured that the ball rocketed into the back of the net to the obvious delight of the crowd.

Palace now piled on the pressure, and it was Mikael who put us on level terms with a great strike from fully 20 yards out. Before the crowd could rise from their seats to celebrate though, there was that linesman once again standing irresolute with his flag out signifying offside once again! We were still 2-1 down.

It was fairly obvious towards the end of the match that Birmingham were going to lift all three points, but the only difference between teams at either end of the League, based on these two teams, is a more resolute defence. Perhaps we may have this if the two new players are given time to settle in, and we stop chopping and changing the team week in and week out?

If Simon's prediction of 21 points comes true we beat Wimbledon 3-1 earlier in the season.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Alex Kolinko, Amir Karic, Matthew Upson, Dean Austin, Jamie Smith, Fan Zhiyi (Andrejs Rubins 45), Simon Rodger (Julian Gray 71), Tommy Black, Steve Thomson (Hayden Mullins 62), Clinton Morrison, Mikael Forssell.

Substitutes not used: Dougie Freedman, Ricardo Fuller.

Preston North End: Tepi Moilanen, Graham Alexander, Michael Jackson, Sean Gregan, Colin Murdock, Rob Edwards, Mark Rankine, Paul McKenna, Lee Cartwright, David Healy (Brian Barry-Murphy 89), Jonathan Macken.

Substitutes not used: David Lucas, Ryan Kidd, Bjarki Gunnlaugsson, Iain Anderson.

Attendance: 15,160

Referee: Mr R Jordan (Peterlee)