Crystal Palace - 0
Barnsley - 2 (Dyer 12. Barnard pen 15.)

Barnsley are currently flying high in the League, but this was our first opportunity to achieve a "double" for the season. It was rather like old boys week when The Tykes came visiting though. Led by Dave Bassett the side featured ex-Eagles Kevin Miller, Bruce Dyer, Neil Shipperley, Dave Tuttle and Geoff Thomas (on the bench). Needless to say the least popular of these players was Miller, but despite his poor reception he was probably the most outstanding of the visitors, playing a blinder before such a hostile crowd.

Despite having our chances in the first period of play, notably from Hayden Mullins and Matthias Svensson, it was Barnsley who took the lead after only 12 minutes of play. Robin Van Der Laan managed to put the ball through to Dyer who made no mistake placing the ball in the back of the net. Just three minutes later things went from bad to worse when Simon Rodger was adjudged to have brought down John Curtis, and Darren Barnard stepped up to the spot and duly converted to double the lead.

Palace started to make some impression on the game, but somehow seemed to lack the finishing touches required to get something out of the game. Without further ado the whistle sounded for the end of the first half, and the players trooped off.

A great reception was given in the second half to substitute Clinton Morrison, making his return to the first team squad following his shoulder injury, but even he could not find a way past the in form Miller. He only managed to hit the side netting after Svensson had once again been denied.

Confusion in the goalmouth led to Dave Tuttle being awarded a red card for handling the ball, and a penalty finally going our way. Svensson stepped up to take the kick, and somehow Miller guessed right and pulled off the perfect save. Morrison then tried again, but Miller was once more equal to the task. Leon McKenzie did finally beat him, but the linesman had his flag up for offside.

Despite outnumbering the players on the field, and despite having the best of the play for the majority of the second half the side was unable to bridge the gap, and the final whistle sounded without any more goals being scored.

We will now have to pull out all the stops in an attempt to overcome Swindon Town on Friday night. With Swindon propping up the rest of the League this match will once again assume a "6 point" flavour.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Fraser Digby, Terry Phelan, David Woozley, Andy Linighan, Jamie Smith, Simon Rodger, Hayden Mullins, Jamie Fullarton (Clinton Morrison 59), Wayne Carlisle (Craig Foster 80), Leon McKenzie, Matthias Svensson (Andrew Martin 72).

Substitutes not used: Andrew Frampton, Steve Mautone.

Barnsley: Kevin Miller, Chris Barker, Dave Tuttle, Chris Morgan, John Curtis, Darren Barnard (Geoff Thomas 85), Mark Jackson, Robin Van Der Laan, Nicky Eaden, Neil Shipperley (Mike Sheron 88), Bruce Dyer (Sean McClare 63).

Substitutes not used: Craig Hignett, Martin Bullock.

Attendance: 14,225

Referee: Mr M Dean (Eastham).