December 26 2006

Scott Flinders

Peter Taylor insisted referee Richard Beeby was right not to send off Scott Flinders as Palace rescued a point at Southampton.

Southampton felt Flinders should have been dismissed after he handled the ball while challenging Rudi Skacel outside his penalty area.

But Beeby only showed the former Barnsley keeper a yellow card after consulting his linesman.

Palace, who played against 10 men for most of the match after Kenwyne Jones was sent off early on, escaped with a draw after Jobi McAnuff's goal cancelled out a Chris Baird header.

Taylor said: "I have seen the replays and it looks like Scott just kicked the ball onto his arm.

"Had it not hit his arm then it would've hit his body anyway so I do not even think it should have been a yellow card.

"I was pleased for Scott because he only came in at the last minute after Julian Speroni was injured and he had a great game."