Crystal Palace - 2 (Cole 60. Morrison 72.)
Blackburn Rovers - 1 (Jansen 26.)

With only two games to go, and this being the final game at Selhurst Park for the season, Palace were determined to do well in front of a good crowd. The return of our favourite son Matt Jansen, who has also donated money to the Supporters Trust, was warmly applauded, though the accolades turned to concern part way through the match.

In the first half Ashley Ward had a good shot well saved by Matthew Gregg, then Jansen placed a header wide of the mark. But it was Palace that was making most of the running, with Andy Linighan missing a sitter by volleying over the bar, and Leon McKenzie missing no fewer than three good chances, one going to keeper Alan Kelly and the other two going wide of the mark.

At 26 minutes Jansen showed the Palace faithful what they had been missing when a Damien Duff pass fell perfectly for him, and his shot was placed wide of Gregg into the net. The surprising part was that Jansen looked crestfallen that his shot had gone in, and without celebration he returned for the restart.

The crowd, of course, had gone quiet at this turn of events, though the team pushed on, and McKenzie had a chance to make amends following a defensive mistake by Craig Short. This time he found the side netting.

The break had arrived, we were one goal down, and everything was left to play for in the second half.

The start of play in the second period saw Craig Foster firing over the bar before, with just one hour on the clock Mikael Forssell seemed to make a great run, but was obviously in trouble as he neared the box. Somehow he managed to play the ball on for Ashley Cole who, with a sweetly timed left foot shot, brought the scores back to level terms, his shot going into the top corner of the net with Kelly stranded.

Blackburn were obviously on the back foot by this stage, and from their performance it is not surprising that despite all their financing they find themselves unable to make an impression on the leaders in the League. This must be the most difficult League to get out of following relegation.

Their frustration was evident when a sliding tackle from Steve Thomson brought an angry reaction from skipper Lee Carsley when he appeared to strike the young player. The referee, Mr Danson, was given no option other than to show him a red card, and Blackburn were reduced to 10 men.

Sensing victory, Palace pushed on in even greater numbers.

The pressure gradually built on the Rovers side, and just twelve minutes after bringing the match level Foster managed to find Jamie Smith unmarked on the touchline. His superb cross into the centre found Clinton Morrison, as usual, lurking with intent, and it was no surprise to anyone at the ground that his glancing header found the back of the net. Palace was finally ahead for the first time in the match.

Leon really should have done much better in a one-on-one situation with the Kelly, but once again he managed to get slightly distracted by the keeper, and the chance was gone.

Despite the obvious enthusiasm of the young side, they almost let things slip at the back very close to the end. Ward saw his overhead kick drift across the goalmouth, and Short was on hand to take a stab at goal. With Matthew badly placed, his shot from merely two yards out hit the post, and Palace were given a reprieve. Almost too close for comfort, but the side, the crowd, and I feel sure the management, were relieved to hear the final whistle.

Following the match Matt Jansen stayed on the field of play, and shook hands with all the Palace players, the team did a lap of honour, and a couple of presentations were made to Steve Coppell, his efforts for the season being well noted by all.

So, it is safely on to First Division football once again next season, just as long as someone solves this ongoing problem of the Administration. Hopefully something will evolve in the final week of the season.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Matthew Gregg, Jamie Smith, Dean Austin, Andy Linighan (David Woozley 46), Ashley Cole, Craig Foster, Steve Thomson, Hayden Mullins, Leon McKenzie, Mikael Forssell, Clinton Morrison.

Substitutes not used: Nick Rizzo, Wayne Carlisle, Steve Hunt, Lee Kendall.

Blackburn Rovers: Alan Kelly, Craig Short, Steve Harkness, Christian Dailly, Jason McAteer (Keith Gillespie 89), Garry Flitcroft, Lee Carsley, Damien Duff, Per Frandsen, Ashley Ward, Matt Jansen.

Substitutes not used: John Filan, Gary Hamilton, Ben Burgess, Simon Grayson.

Attendance: 18,272

Referee: Mr P Danson (Leicester)