He again was delighted with them last night when they fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at bottom club West Brom. But Palace players and management were involved in a bust-up with stewards and fans as angry scenes erupted around the dugouts.
The Dowie brothers were subjected to abuse at close quarters from West Brom fans and wanted more protect ion. The row continued down the tunnel at the end where there were heated exchanges with stewards.
The Palace manager said: "The stewards were allowing people to get near us. Supporters were smashing down on the top of our dugout."
Palace will be delighted with their point earned with a goal from Aki Riihilahti three minutes into injury time.
And if Andrew Johnson does not get called-up for England's friendly against Holland next week, his teammates will want to know why.
He was forced to play up front alone with very little support from midfield as Palace were reduced to 10 men after 13 minutes when Gonzalo Sorondo was controversially sent off for a foul on Geoff Horsfield.
And, in the 47th minute, he pounced on a mistake by defender Darren Purse to head over the advancing Russell Hoult.
Team-mate Darren Powell said: "He deserves any call-up he gets. He creates his own opportunities at times and, when you have someone like him on your side and you are defending well, you are always in with a chance."
Kevin Campbell equalised for West Brom from close range with eight minutes of normal time remaining and substitute Robert Earnshaw looked to have given West Brom victory with a cool finish a minute into added time.
But Riihilahti bundled in a long ball into the penalty area from Gary Borrowdale to snatch a draw in the final seconds.
Sorondo is likely to be suspended against Bolton on Saturday but Dowie hopes referee Dermot Gallagher will reconsider his decision.
He said: "I don't want to talk about the referee because it is taking away from a fantastic display by my players. I hope he [Gallagher] has a look at it because it may not even be a foul, never mind a straight red card so I would hope that it will be over-turned."
