April 7 2006

Iain Dowie

Crystal Palace's lingering hopes of auTOMatic promotion evaporated in a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Leicester City, by Peter Gillman.

The match was decided in the last five minutes of the first half, when a Palace blunder led to Leicester's opener, and the Eagles were denied a clear-cut penalty.

With Michael Hughes and Jobi McAnuff dominant in midfield, Palace had the best of first half. But Ben Watson shot straight at the keeper from 20 yards and Hughes wasted the best opening when he mis-hit a cross with both AJ and Morrison waiting unmarked.

Leicester’s goal on 40 minutes came from a mistake by Ward who lost the ball to Williams as he tried to dribble out of defence. A shot by Hume was blocked but the ball reached Welsh, who was narrowly onside and fired in off the bar.

Palace were denied a clear penalty on 44 minutes when Leicester keeper Henderson kneed Morrison in the head as he came out for the ball. Referee Laws gave a freekick against a blameless Morrison, who did not return for the second half.

Palace dominated the early exchanges of the second half and came closest to equalising when a shot by McAnuff was deflected into the side netting on 64 minutes.

With 15 minutes to go, Dowie gambled by bringing on two attackers. Leicester took full advantage when Matt Fryatt found an opening to cross to the impressive Stephen Hughes, who shot home from eight yards.

Hume was close to Kiraly in an offside position but ref Laws signalled the goal. The play-off lottery beckons.

Palace: Kiraly; Boyce, Hall, Ward (Macken 75), Borrowdale; SOARES (Reich 75), Watson, Hughes, McAnuff; Johnson, Morrison (Freedman 46)