May 10 2008

Ben Watson

Crystal Palace conceded a last-minute goal at home to Bristol City to go into the play-off semi-final second leg 2-1 down.

Bristol started the brighter of the two sides, forcing a few corners early on, while Palace were close to getting a penalty after Scott Sinclair was felled just outside the box.

Clint Hill blocked Nick Carle's goal-bound shot after former Palace striker Dele Adebola slipped past Jose Fonte at the byline.

Then Adebola almost put his club in front but Eagles keeper Julian Speroni was alert to save his downward header.

Just after half-time, Ben Watson fired a low shot just past the post but it was City who broke the deadlock on 54 minutes.

A free-kick straight from the training ground saw David Noble pass to Nick Carle and he squared the ball to Louis Carey who hit a curling effort into the top right corner.

Eagles boss Neil Warnock threw on striker James Scowcroft to add a bit of muscle in attack but he only last five minutes before pulling up with a hamstring injury he thought he had just recovered from.

Palace pressed for an equaliser with sub Paul Ifill creating on the wing and centre half Jose Fonte was moved up front for some aerial presence.

And it was Fonte who had a hand in the equalising goal in the 87th minute as the defender was tripped in the area for a penalty before a cool-as-you-like Watson smashed home the spot-kick.

But Palace were left heart broken in the 90th minute as Carey collected a loose ball and blasted a brilliant shot into the top corner to give his side the edge going into the second leg at Ashton Gate next week.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Fonte, Hill, Soares, Watson, Derry (Lawrence 76), Moses (Scowcroft 55 (Ifill 61)), Sinclair, Morrison.

Not Used: Fletcher, Scannell.

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, McCombe, Carey, McAllister, Carle, Noble (Johnson 90), Elliott, McIndoe, Adebola,Trundle (Fontaine 90).

Not Used: Weale, Sproule, Byfield.