September 9 2006

Jamie Scowcroft

Palace sank to a disappointing two-one defeat at Kenilworth Road, giving a performance which did little for their promotion credentials, writes Peter Gillman.

Jamie Scowcroft failed to forge a partnership with newcomer Shefki Kuqi, who was substituted after the hour.

Palace pressed hard in the final 20 minutes but a Leon Cort header came back off the crossbar and they had several strong penalty claims turned down.

With seconds left, Scowcroft at last headed home from a Tom Soares cross but it was scant consolation.

Palace went behind the second minute when Luton midfielder Carlos Edwards won a hairline offside decision to hit a through ball past Gabor Kiraly, with the Palace back four appealing in vain to the lino.

Three minutes later Parkin missed a volley on the penalty spot which would have taken Luton two up.

Palace struggled to get back into the game, gaining more possession in midfield but lacking the incisiveness to threaten the Luton goal.

Their first real opportunity fell to Mark Kennedy but his 25-yard shot cleared the Luton bar.

Six minutes later Carl Fletcher injured an ankle in a fall in the Luton area and was replaced by Michael Hughes. Palace won a succession of corners just before half time without success.

Palace fell two behind on 59 minutes when they backed off as Rowan Vine chased a through ball from Foley.

The Luton number nine cut past Mark Hudson and Danny Granville and beat Kiraly at the near post.

Taylor brought on Dougie Freedman and Clinton Morrison on 62 minutes and Palace could have had a penalty on 70 minutes when Heikkinen grabbed Morrison’s shirt.

Palace were creating more chances with Freedman volleying over from close but they had left themselves too much to do.

A Mark Hudson header was blocked by a Luton defender’s arm but the penalty was denied again.

Then Cort powered a header against the underside of the bar which rebounded clear. Hughes was brought down in the area only for referee to wave away the third claim.

On 90 minutes, Jobi McAnuff created an opening at the near post but Morrison missed from close range. In added time, a Kennedy corner was blocked on the line. Scowcroft missed another good chance and then in the final seconds headed home a Soares cross from close range.

Radio commentators felt that Palace had been disappointing and that Luton deserved the three points.

Palace: Kiraly; Butterfield (Freedman 62), Cort, Hudson, Granville; Soares, Kennedy, Fletcher (sub Hughes 37), McAnuff; Scowcroft, Kuqi (Morrison 62).

Subs not used: Speroni, Lawrence.

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