July 24 2005

Eintracht Frankfurt v Crystal Palace

Jon Macken scored his first Eagles goal in Palace's 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in the final game of their German tour.

The former Man City star came on for the second half and struck just five minutes later.

TOMmy Black, making his return to the side after being sidelined for most of last season with a broken leg, dinked in a delightful cross into the penalty box from the right.

Macken got in behind his marker to take one touch to control and another to slot into the botTOM right corner from eight yards out.

Palace were inches away from taking the lead within nine minutes of the game through the unlikely boot of right-back Emmerson Boyce.

Back after missing the final two months of last season with a broken foot, his cross-cum-shot agonisingly bounced along the top of the Frankfurt bar.

Neither side created any shots on target in the entire first half and boss Iain Dowie brought on eight new players for the second period.

Palace continued to have the lions' share of the play and were rewarded with Macken's goal in the 50th minute.

But 24 minutes later, Benjamin Huggel was skythed down by recent signing Darren Ward in the area with a clumsy challenge for a penalty.

Jermaine Jones stepped up to take the spot-kick but trialist keeper Shaka Hislop was equal to it, diving to his left to make a top save.

Four minutes later, the Germans equalised with through Arie van Lent, who rose highest to glance Lexa's corner kick inside the far post.

And Hislop staked his claim for a permanent switch to Palace with a fine injury-time save, palming out Lexa's free-kick at full-stretch.

Palace first half: Kiraly, Boyce, Hudson, F Hall, Fray, Andrews, Danze, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Freedman, Johnson.

Palace second half: Hislop, Boyce (Togwell 62), Ward, Fray (R Hall 62), Hudson (Wilson 62), Watson, SOARES, Black, Kolkka, Macken, Torghelle.