April 30 2007

Peter Taylor

Peter Taylor admitted Crystal Palace's lack of consistency stopped them challenging for a play-off place.

Taylor's side underlined their ability to compete with the best as goals from CLINTON MORRISON and Mark Kennedy earned a 2-0 win over Derby that ended the Rams' automatic promotion hopes.

But, while Derby can still go up via the play-offs, Palace are resigned to another season in the Championship.

Taylor insists the Eagles are just as good as Derby but he conceded they were never able to go on the sort of lengthy winning run needed to mount a promotion challenge.

"We are as good as Derby, but we are not as consistently good as they have been," he said.

"There was a lot of pressure on Derby because they knew they had to win the game.

"Some of their play was excellent, though. They are a very good team and play a really good system.

"They will possibly be the favourites to go up through the play-offs."