Palace play out Bescot draw

November 22 2003

Nationwide Division One

Kit Symons' second match in charge of Palace ended in a 0-0 draw against 10-man Walsall.

Symons decided to leave new loan signing Rob Edwards on the bench, and took up a position himself in the back four alongside Tony Popovic.

Palace had the better of the earlier exchanges in the game, however Walsall's Steve Corica was the first player to get a shot in after he made Thomas Mhyre save from point-blank range.

Ten minutes later, Darren Wrack should have done better with a header and Mhyre was on hand again to save from Corica.

Dougie Freedman had a claim for a penalty turned down, and was booked for diving. Andy Johnson also had a few chances to bag a goal at the end of the first half, but failed to convert his chances.

Watson executed a good free-kick shortly before half-time which was well saved, and Danny Butterfield would have been disappointed not to have grabbed the lead for the Eagles on the rebound, but his chance was cleared by the hosts.

In the second half, Symons brought on Tommy Black, Wayne Routledge and Rob Edwards - making his debut on-loan from Aston Villa.

Paul Merson twice miscued shots and Gary Birch headed wide for Walsall as both sides settled for the draw. With five minutes left, Walsall right-back Chris Baird was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Line-ups:

Walsall: Walker, Hay, Roper, Osborn, Corica, Merson, Wrack, Birch, Samways, Vincent, Baird.

Subs: Allaway, Aranalde, Leitao, Emblen, Dinning.

Crystal Palace: Mhyre, Fleming, Butterfield, Symons, Popovic, Johnson, Freedman, Shipperley, Watson, Hughes, Borrowdale.

Subs: Berthelin, Routledge, Black, Granville, Edwards.

Referee: A Leake (Lancashire)

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