September 18 2008

Simon Thomas

Crystal Palace's reserves were defeated 3-2 by Gillingham, at Hayes Lane.

The Eagles got off to a dream start as Simon Thomas put them in front after just four minutes, heading past keeper Alan Julian into the far corner.

Gillingham levelled matters in the 18th minute from the penalty spot as Darryl Flahaven felled Andrew Pugh in the box and Luis Cumbers rolled in the kick.

Palace regained the lead five minutes before the break when Julian saved Rhoys Wiggins' effort and Leandre Griffit put away the rebound.

Five minutes from time, the Gills equalised again as Cumbers raced onto a long ball over the top and fired past Flahaven.

Right at the death, Gillingham scored an undeserved winner, capitalising on Graeme Edwards' bad back pass to chip the outcoming Flahavan for 3-2.

Palace: Flahavan, Clyne, Wiggins, Comley, Ertl, Edwards, Griffit, Smith, Thomas, Moses, Hills.

Subs: Bingham, Pinney, Abnett, Camara, Nnamani.

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