December 1 2005

Iain Dowie

Iain Dowie admitted Middlesbrough's strikers showed a cutting edge that was too sharp for Palace.

Palace's Carling Cup campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat as second half strikes from Mark Viduka and Szilard Nemeth eased 'Boro into the last eight.

Dowie said: "That is what quality players can do. That extra split-second is the difference when you play against Premiership players.

"They got two chances and 'bang' they scored two goals.

"It was probably the final ball which killed us tonight but it was a spirited display."

Dowie took ANDY JOHNSON off at half-time as he nurses the striker back to full fitness and said: "I was never going to play him more than 45 minutes.

"Sometimes when you cool down at half-time you become very stiff, so we did not want to risk him.

"It was good to have him back, we will wrap him up in cotton wool to make sure he is okay for Saturday. He is a special player for us."