March 8 2003

Nationwide Division One

Palace threw away a goal lead and their play-off hopes with a 2-1 defeat away to Bradford.

Noel Whelan, on loan from Middlesborough, scored on his Eagles debut as they went in at half-time ahead.

But Bradford replied with two goals in three minutes from Peter Atherton and teenager Simon Francis to ease their relegation plight.

In the first minute, David Wetherall had to block a Danny Butterfield effort and afterwards Gus Uhlenbeek fired wide for Bradford.

Palace continued to dominate proceedings and took the lead when Butterfield's long throw went to Whelan, who turned and volleyed past the keeper.

Ten minutes later, Ade Akinbiyi missed a good chance to score but his header from Gary Borrowdale's cross went wide.

Three minutes into the second half, Steve Thomson's shot went into the side netting from Hayden Mullins' cross. Mullins then tried a shot from long range out but was saved by the keeper.

Bradford replied with an Uhlenbeek strike parried by Cedric Berthelin and Wetherall headed over the bar from a corner.

The home side equalised on 70 minutes as Atherton volleyed home as Palace failed to clear from a corner.

They got what proved to be the winning goal just three minutes later when Francis scored from close range.

Palace: Berthelin, Butterfield, Symons (Black 71), Borrowdale, Popovic, Thomson (Freedman 62), Derry, Mullins, Gray (Granville 62), Whelan, Akinbiyi.

Subs not used: Kolinko, Routledge.

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Palace 2002/3 team stats

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