March 7 2009

Neil Danns

Crystal Palace gave their faint play-off hopes a boost by winning 2-1 at home to Preston.

The win was only Palace's second from the last 10 games and a top six place is now nine points away.

Against the run of play, Billy Jones put sixth-placed Preston in front after 29 minutes when he chased onto the end of Stephen Elliott's backheel to score past Julian Speroni.

Anthony Stokes, making his first Palace start since joining on loan from Sunderland, equalised for the hosts just three minutes later.

The striker surged past Sean St Ledger and smacked a shot past keeper Andy Lonergan to score.

Within two minutes, midfielder Neil Danns got what proved to be the winning goal by sliding in to net from close range.

The Eagles had further chances to extend the lead through Stokes, who saw his shot saved by Lonergan, and Danns was unlucky with a header but Palace were victorious.

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence (Clyne 90), Jose Fonte, Davis, Hill, Oster, Danns, Derry, Ifill (Scannell 89), Kuqi, Stokes (Ertl 90).

Not Used: Scowcroft, Rui Fonte.

Preston: Lonergan, Nolan, Davies, St. Ledger, Davidson, Nicholson (Whaley 71), Carter, Jones, Wallace, Brown (Mellor 56), Elliott (Hawley 81).

Not Used: Neal, Sedgwick.

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