April 6 2004

Neil Shipperley

Crystal Palace kept their play-off hopes alive with a 2-1 victory away to Rotherham United.

Goals from Julian Gray and Neil Shipperley gave the Eagles all three points.

But it was Rotherham who had the first chance of the game in the opening minute. Paul Warne forced a save out of NICO VAESEN from the edge of the box after good work from Martin Butler and Michael Proctor.

Shipperley headed Danny Butterfield's cross wide before the Eagles went in front on 11 minutes.

Wayne Routledge's shot inside the Rotherham penalty area deflected out to Gray and he fired home past keeper Mike Pollitt.

The Millers fought back as Butler headed over the bar, Proctor shot wide and Andy Monkhouse's drive flew over following a good run.

Palace added a second goal in the 27th minute when Shipperley's header from Gray's left-wing cross looped over Pollit and into the back of the net.

The hosts failed to create any clear-cut chances and Palace became a threat on the counter attack. Routledge had a long-range strike high and wide and Pollit saved well from Andy Johnson.

Rotherham pulled a goal back five minutes before the end when Proctor finished from close range but it was too little too late.

Rotherham: Pollitt, Stockdale, Shaun Barker, Gilchrist, Minto, Warne, Morris, Mullin, Monkhouse, Butler, Proctor.

Subs: Montgomery, Richard Barker, Daws, Baudet, Hurst.

Crystal Palace: VAESEN, Butterfield, Hudson, Popovic, Granville, Routledge, Hughes, Riihilahti, Gray, Johnson, Shipperley.

Subs: Berthelin, Leigertwood, Freedman, Derry, Black.

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