October 31 2006

Tom Soares

Palace went under 3-2 to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, writes Peter Gillman.

The Eagles went ahead twice against the team who had started the evening in 20th place.

But they once again showed their inability to defend a lead and finally went down to a goal in the last minute of added time.

After Sheffield had the better of the opening exchanges, Palace took the lead through Shefti Kuqi, playing against one of his former clubs, on 21 minutes.

Kuqi broke into the Wednesday area after a mistake by defender Hills and drove the ball under keeper Jones from 12 yards.

Kuqi had a golden chance to double the score five minutes later but his shot was well wide. Sheffield pressed again and as Palace ceded the midfield they were continually pushed back in defence.

Sheffield equalised moments before half time after a blunder by Palace keeper Scott Flinders, making his first league start.

He miskicked a clearance and Small fed the ball back to Tudgay, who scored from six yards.

Palace started the second half more confidently. On 63 minutes Kennedy won the ball on a counter attack and drilled a pass to Clinton Morrison.

Clinton threaded the ball to TOM SOARES, who dribbled past two defenders and slotted the ball home for a dazzling goal.

Sheffield fought back and Danny Butterfield cleared a Lunt header off the line with inches to spare.

On 73 minutes Coughlan had a clear header on six yards from a Lunt free kick and nodded home.

Dougie came on to carve out several openings in the final 15 minutes but Palace could not regain their lead.

When Brunt missed a glorious chance in added time it looked as though Palace would come home with a point.

But substitute MacLean volleyed home from close range with seconds remaining before the final whistle.

Palace have now taken just two points from their last six matches.

Palace: Flinders, Butterfield, Lawrence, Cort, Borrowdale, SOARES, Fletcher, Watson (McAnuff 46), Reich (Kennedy 33), Kuqi (Freedman 75), Morrison.

Subs: Kiraly, Hudson.

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