March 27 2004

Nationwide Division One

Crystal Palace lost 2-0 at high-flying West Brom after letting in two late strikes.

The Eagles looked like they had picked up a well-earned point before the Baggies struck in the 80th and 87th minutes.

It was Palace who created the first chance of the game. Michael Hughes' quick free-kick to Danny Butterfield caught the Baggies napping but the defender's shot from 25 yards whisked over the bar.

TONY POPOVIC skied Wayne Routledge's cross over when keeper Russell Hoult's failed to get any purchase on his punch.

Eagles goalkeeper Nico Vaesen saved well from Lee Hughes and Rob Hulse early on. Then Andrew Johnson just failed to get on the end of Julian Gray's tantalising cross for the Eagles.

Vaesen saved a 20-yard Artim Sakiri free-kick and the Macedonia international nodded James Chambers' cross just wide.

In the second half, West Brom piled on the pressure as Vaesen palmed away a Lee Hughes' rasping drive following a good run down the right.

Palace got back into the game and started creating chances of their own - Johnson saw his header saved by Hoult and Butterfield screwed his effort wide.

But Darren Moore put the hosts in front in the 80th minute, heading home Jason Koumas' corner.

And with three minutes remaining, substitute Lloyd Dyer slotted home the second after a good run and cross from Delroy Facey.

Crystal Palace: Vaesen, Butterfield, Hudson, POPOVIC, Granville, Routledge, Leigertwood, Hughes, Gray, Johnson, Shipperley.

Subs: Berthelin, Black, Derry, Riihilahti, Borrowdale.

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Palace 2003/4 team stats

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