January 29 2006

Iain Dowie

IAIN DOWIE admitted Palace's FA Cup draw at Preston was the worst result possible.

DOWIE wanted the fourth round clash settled at the first attempt to avoid a fixture pile-up, but Brian O'Neil cancelled out Andy Johnson's early strike to earn a replay.

Palace meet Preston again at Deepdale this week in an important Championship clash and now face an FA Cup re-match at Selhurst Park on February 7.

DOWIE said: The last thing we need right now is a replay.

"We wanted it done and dusted in 90 minutes. We now have a ridiculous number of games in a short space of time, but we've got to get on with it.

"We started strong but we sat back and conceded the goal, then after that we finished the game strongly.

"They are a good side and it was a tough game. The game on Tuesday will be tough and so will the replay."