January 3 2011

Dougie Freedman

Crystal Palace's survival hopes were given a major lift after a 1-0 win at home to rivals Preston.

Dougie Freedman celebrated his first match as caretaker manager with a priceless three points which moved Palace up a place to third bottom.

Steffen Iversen scored on his debut to give the Eagles a winning start to 2011 and increase the gap on bottom club Preston to six points.

Both struggling sides started nervously with few clear cut chances with the pick coming from Neil Danns, whose shot was saved by Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan. Paul Hayes volleyed wide for PNE.

After the break, Andrew Dorman scooped a good opportunity over before Preston felt they should have had a penalty when Keith Treacy went over following a challenge from Paddy McCarthy - but he was booked for diving.

Iversen got the breakthrough Palace deserved for their territorial advantage, heading sub Kieron Cadogan's right-wing cross past Lonergan into the corner on 58 minutes.

Barry Nicholson headed Billy Jones' cross wide of the goal as PNE mounted some late pressure. But despite Cadogan wasting an easy chance late on, Palace held on for their first win since November.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Gardner, Bennett, Danns, Garvan, O'Keefe (Cadogan 54), Dorman, Zaha (Wright 79), Iversen (Andrew 77).

Not Used: Price, Ambrose, Scannell, Marrow.

Preston: Lonergan, Morgan, St. Ledger, Jones, McLaughlin, Nicholson, Treacy (Mayor 66), Barton, Hume (Douglas 71), Hayes (Coutts 65), Chris Brown.

Not Used: Arestidou, Davidson, Gray, Parry.

Today's results and scorers

2010/11 match reports

2010/11 squad stats

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