August 14 2007

Dougie Freedman

Crystal Palace were dumped out of the Carling Cup 4-1 on penalties by League One side Bristol Rovers.

Clinton Morrison was the only Palace player to convert a spot-kick as the Eagles lost the shoot-out when the tie ended 1-1 after extra-time.

The Londoners looked in control when striker Dougie Freedman put them ahead on the half-hour mark with a free-kick from 20 yards.

But Rovers were on level terms on 64 minutes as Craig Disley collected Richard Lambert's cross to fire past Scott Flinders 12 yards out.

With the tie locked at 1-1, no more goals were scored in extra-time and both sides faced the dreaded penalties.

Richard Walker put away the first spot-kick for Rovers, but Freedman saw his effort parried by keeper by Steve Phillips.

Joe Jacobson made it 2-0 to Rovers on penalties, before sub Morrison buried his kick into the bottom left corner.

The home side moved into the driving seat when Disley scored past Flinderd for 3-1 and Shefki Kuqi blasted wide.

Then Byron Anthony put away the winning penalty to give Rovers a famous win over the Eagles, who were knocked out at the first hurdle for the second successive season.

Palace: Flinders, Butterfield, Hudson, Fonte, Craig, Green (Grabban 79), Soares, Watson (Lawrence 62), Martin (Morrison 119), Kuqi, Freedman.

Subs Not Used: Speroni, Cort.