John hits late equaliser

April 17 2010

Stern John

Crystal Palace secured a vital point in their survival struggle as they battled to a 1-1 draw at Derby.

Palace are now two points above the relegation zone with two matches left to play.

Stern John leapt off the bench to net an 86th minute equaliser after Russell Anderson put Derby ahead after just six minutes.

Robbie Savage sent over a free-kick and centre-half Anderson headed home his first goal in three years from six yards out.

The Rams almost added another through defender Shaun Barker but Julian Speroni pushed his header from another set-piece out for a corner.

Speroni comfortably saved efforts from Jay McEveley and former Palace winger Dave Martin. Just before the break, the Argentine stopper did well to block Tomasz Cywka's shot.

Palace boss Paul Hart brought on John after the interval but Derby continued to dominate proceedings.

Neil Danns wasted an excellent headed opportunity from six yards by putting Sean Scannell's cross wide of the goal but Palace were starting to claw their way back into it.

John rifled a shot off target, while Michael Tongue went agonisingly close with a free-kick for Derby.

Johannes Ertl nearly drew Palace level with a long-range strike before John fired Danny Butterfield's cross straight at keeper Stephen Bywater.

The goalkeeper then made a superb double save to deny Darren Ambrose and then John. With eight minutes to go, John agonisingly hit the crossbar.

But he got the goal he deserved four minutes from time with a 12-yard finish to earn Palace a well-earned point.

Derby: Bywater, Hunt, Barker, Anderson, McEveley, Tonge, Green, Savage, Martin, Cywka (Davies 71), Porter.

Not Used: Deeney, Croft, Teale, Pringle, Moxey, Sunu.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hill, McCarthy, Hills (Clyne 33), Danns, Ertl (N'Diaye 77), Derry, Carle (John 46), Ambrose, Scannell.

Not Used: Mann, Lawrence, Comley, Zaha.

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