March 22 2006

Iain Dowie

IAIN DOWIE has told his players to believe they can steal automatic promotion.

Palace are in with a shout of an unlikely top two finish thanks to Jobi McAnuff's winner just before half-time against Leeds.

The Eagles are now eight points behind out-of-form Sheffield United and DOWIE refused to rule out a late surge.

He said: "To come here and get a win in the manner of it and timing of it is very important.

"Automatic promotion is feasible. We'll see how we go.

"Sheffield United have had a fantastic season, and Reading have been without fault, omnipotent.

"We'll see what happens. If I had hair to lose I'd be worried about it."

The win gained a measure of revenge for Leeds' success at Selhurst Park recently and DOWIE admitted he was delighted with his side's display.

He said: "I thought we were superb in the first half and resolute in the second.

"You have to be when you come to a place like Elland Road, look at their home record.

"They are a big, big club and they have some good players.

"We had to defend resolutely and apart from Kilgallon's header at the far post, Kiraly really didn't have a save to make in the second half.

"We felt we should have been further ahead in the first half. We had some great chances, and it was a great goal."