March 6 2001

Crystal Palace

Palace put in a much better performace tonight against Birmingham, but it wasn't enough, as Birmingham took all three points. Dean Austin scored his first goal this season, but an own goal from MATTHEW UPSON and a strike from Dele Adebola made Birmingham the victors.

Palace's start was promising creating two good chances. First it was Tommy Black who found keeper Ian Bennett in his path, minutes later Dougie Freedman was denied by the same Bennet.

Again Freedman and Mikael Forssell had chances to score but they both failed.

Two minutes after the interval Birmingham scored the opener when Palace defender MATTHEW UPSON deflected a Nicky Eaden cross into his own net.

On 59 minutes Birmingham doubled their lead. Substitute Dele Adebola was given too much room inside the box and fired low past Alexandrs Kolinko.

A minute later Eagles skipper Dean Austin gave the Selhurst faithful a glimmer of hope. He scored with a flying header from a Tommy Black corner.

Palace did their best to score the equaliser but it was not enough. The Eagles dropped to 18th place after their fourth consecutive defeat.

Post-match comments

Palace boss Alan Smith was disappointed after the 2-1 defeat against Birmingham.

He said: "If you are up in the top bracket it goes for you.

"Birmingham have had some of their players for a long time and they have got the experience and they battled it out. We should have got more out of the game.

"We need to regroup as the team is fragile at the moment but we are getting there," he added.

Winning boss Trevor Francis commented: "It's the best three points we have taken this season.

"We were full of determination and we battled well in the worst possible conditions."