April 24 2004

Andy Johnson

Andy Johnson scored a hat-trick as Palace beat Crewe 3-2 at Gresty Road and move within touching distance of the play-offs.

They lie a place outside the play-offs but have same points as fifth-placed West Ham and sixth-placed Wigan. If they win their final two matches, they are guaranteed a play-off spot.

The Eagles got off to a good start as Shaun Derry went close with a free-kick, while Julian Gray and NEIL SHIPPERLEY forced forced keeper Ben Williams into good saves.

Dean Ashton headed wide for Crewe before Palace took a deserved lead on the half-hour when Johnson latched onto Wayne Routledge's pass and fired home.

Six minutes later, he doubled the advantage by putting away Danny Granville's cross.

Two minutes after the interval, Crewe pulled a goal back when Ashton's mis-hot shot found its way past Palace keeper Nico Vaesen.

Williams make a good save from Gray but Palace extended their lead on 56 minutes as Division One's leading scorer Johnson completed his hat-trick.

He was brought down in the box by Steve Foster and he dusted himself down to convert the penalty for his 30th of the season.

The hosts brought it back to 3-2 17 minutes from time when Kenny Lunt headed home David Brammer's cross. And Vaesen had to be alert to keep out an Ashton volley in the closing stages of the game to make the three points safe.

Crystal Palace: Vaesen, Butterfield, Popovic, Leigertwood, Granville, Gray, Derry, Riihilahti, Routledge, Johnson, SHIPPERLEY.

Subs: Freedman, Berthelin, Symons, Black, Watson.

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