Tranmere Rovers - 1 (Taylor 46.)
Crystal Palace - 2 (Mullins 34. Morrison 39.)

This was a match that really had no bearing on the promotion or relegations spots, but was still a well-fought, hard affair. Despite the fact that Clinton Morrison had a goal disallowed for being offside, the match continued in an end-to-end struggle. The only real surprise was the omission of Andy Linighan from the line-up, and the fact that it took so long for either side to score.

With only ten minutes remaining in the first half things suddenly changed in favour of the visiting supporters amongst the poor crowd for a final home game at Prenton Park. Mikael Forssell won a free kick just outside the area that was taken by Craig Foster. Hayden Mullins managed to get on the end of the kick, and despite a packed goalmouth area he fired the ball home, and suddenly we were in the lead. Just a few minutes later Leon McKenzie got in a good pass to Morrison who made no mistake slamming the ball into the back of the net to ensure that he would be Palace's top scorer for the season.

2-0 up, and half time just about due, surely Palace were not going to throw away another lead like recently?

This time the pep talk was obviously more effective in the home team's room, for within 30 seconds of the break Tranmere had pulled one goal back. A throw-in, taken by Dave Challinor, was well met by Scott Taylor, his shot screaming into the top corner of the net, giving young Matthew Gregg no chance whatsoever. To the credit of the Palace side they did not go on the defensive, but indeed continued to push forward.

Leon hit the bar at one end, and Challinor repeated the feat at our end of the park, but the real action was saved until the dying moments of the match.

In an attempt to get on level terms Andy Parkinson managed to only hit the side netting and Iain Hume sent his shot wide. A final chance to the home team from Alan Mahon saw Matthew make a fine save to deny Tranmere a share of the spoils, and suddenly the match, and the season, was over.

The last two matches have brought Palace maximum points, though it is never good to dwell on what might have been.

Next season everyone starts equal once again, and with 6 new teams to face who knows what the year may bring? Hopefully for the Palace faithful it will be a season that brings success on the pitch, not anguish in the boardroom!

Colin Pryce

Tranmere Rovers: Joe Murphy, Steve Yates, Dave Challinor, Clint Hill, Gareth Roberts, Andy Parkinson, Richard Hinds (Alan Morgan 58), Michael Black (John Aldridge 58), Alan Mahon, Scott Taylor (Iain Hume 74), Wayne Allison.

Substitutes not used: John Achterberg, Reuben Hazell.

Crystal Palace: Matthew Gregg, Jamie Smith, Dean Austin, David Woozley, Ashley Cole, Steve Thomson, Hayden Mullins, Craig Foster (Andrew Frampton 60), Leon McKenzie (James Hibburt 77), Mikael Forssell (Richard Harris 77), Clinton Morrison.

Substitutes not used: Lee Kendall, Steve Hunt.

Attendance: 8,891

Referee: Mr K Leach (Codsall).