January 31 2009

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace failed to beat 10-man Blackpool to continue their miserable run with a 1-0 defeat at Selhurst Park.

The visitors played 87 minutes with one less player after keeper Paul Rachubka was sent off with just three minutes gone.

And the Eagles failed to make the extra man count as DJ Campbell scored for Blackpool through a first half penalty and held on for a deserved victory.

Lee Hills, Victor Moses and Alan Lee were drafted into the Palace side by boss Neil Warnock and new loan signing Rui Fonte made the bench.

Palace were handed a lifeline when Rachubka saw red after hauling down Shefki Kuqi on the edge of the area after the striker had intercepted a weak backpass from Ian Evatt.

On-loan midfielder Paul Marshall, who was making his debut, was replaced by substitute keeper Matthew Gilks.

Gilks didn't have to wait long for some action by tipping over Shefki Kui's header before John Oster fired wide and Jose Fonte directed Shaun Derry's corner off target.

Four minutes before half-time, Oster fouled O'Donovan in the box and Campbell put away the penalty.

Gilks easily saved headers from Hills and James Scowcroft and Fonte saw an opportunity fly off target.

Palace tried in vain to nick an equaliser but lacked any cutting edge in the final third.

Victory gave Blackpool only their second win in the last 10 games, while Palace have now lost their last four.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hill, Jose Fonte, Hills, Moses, Derry, CARLe (Rui Fonte 46), Oster, Lee (Scowcroft 46), Kuqi (Danns 62).

Not Used: Lawrence, Scannell.

Blackpool: Rachubka, Barker, Evatt, Baptiste, Coid, O'Donovan, Fox, Marshall (Gilks 5), Vaughan (Martin 90), Campbell (Ormerod 90), Taylor-FLETCHER.

Not Used: Owens, Harte.

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