Crystal Palace - 1 (Jansen 68.)
Tranmere Rovers - 1 (Thompson 66.)

Another chance for points in our eventual climb to the top of the table was presented to us in this home match. At least, one can live in hope! I saw this corresponding match two seasons ago and was impressed by the display.

We started poorly in this match with Tranmere doing most of the defending but with Palace not getting a clear chance on goal. The first real opportunities fell to Jason Koumas whose shot took a deflection to save our blushes, then Andy Parkinson hit his shot over the bar. Craig Foster put through a cross to Matthias Svensson, who wasted his shot across the face of goal, then Matt Jansen found Matthias again, his shot going wide of the mark. Further chances fell to Foster whose shot was well blocked by Danny Coyne and Sagi Burton headed wide. A final shot in the half went once more to Matthias, the effort being blocked.

0-0 at half time, and the same scoreline 20 minutes into the half started to look ominous. The first team to score could well run away with the game. Needless to say it was not us that scored! Andy Thompson picked up the ball 25 yards out and let fly a terrific shot into the top of the net.

To our credit within two minutes we were back on level terms. Jamie Smith made a good run then sent in a great cross for Matt Jansen to head home yet another goal in his impressive list for the season. When it looked as though the game would peter out David Kelly sent in a powerful header that Fraser Digby did well to hang on to, in the process saving a valuable point for Palace.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Digby, Smith, Tuttle, Burton, Crowe, Bradbury, Foster, Mullins, Rodger (Amsalem 57), Jansen, Svensson (Morrison 74).
Not Used: Petric.

Tranmere Rovers: Coyne, Santos, McGreal, Challinor, Allen, Loumas (Mellon 79), Irons, Mahon (Morrisey 84), Thompson, Kelly, Parkinson (Taylor 64).
Not Used: None.

Attendance: 12,919
Referee: Mr A Wiley(Burntwood).