Crystal Palace defender Danny Butterfield's shock at FA Cup hat-trick

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11 April 2012

Makeshift striker Danny Butterfield was stunned after breaking his goal drought with a hat-trick which dumped Premier League side Wolves out of the FA Cup.

The 30-year-old defender had scored just one goal in six seasons before his six-minute treble last night.

Butterfield said: "I still can't believe it's happened. I'm normally a one goal every four seasons man, so three in one night is unbelievable.

"I think I was a day too late, I could have perhaps gone for four or five million in the transfer window!"

Butterfield, who has been used as a striker in Palace's last two games, broke the deadlock with a close-range header in the 61st minute-before quickly adding two composed finishes from
one-on-one situations to record one of the club's fastest hat-tricks.

Manager Neil Warnock was quick to turn his attentions to Saturday's league clash with Scunthorpe, despite watching his side book a fifth-round home tie against Premier League high fliers Aston Villa.

Warnock admits he'll be looking to avenge the 4-0 home defeat against their opponents earlier in the season as they continue the task of overhauling the 10-point penalty imposed for
going into administration.

He said: "Saturday is the most important day for us now because Scunthorpe rubbed our nose in it down here, that was a really embarrassing game.

"It was one of the poorest performances in my career. So I hope the lads are ready now because we've got to go up there and get a result at Scunthorpe, which doesn't sound great after tonight, but that's the reality."

With Palace in administration, a lucrative home tie in the next round of the FA Cup could hardly be better timed.

Warnock believes the cup run will help boost the club's profile in the eyes of potential investors.

Chairman Simon Jordan was absent from Selhurst Park last night but will be delighted that the club's coffers are going to be boosted by the lucrative televised Villa tie.

"He's not come tonight," said Warnock. "I don't know why, if I was him he'd come. I said he could come on the bench if he wanted. Nobody will notice him there.

"Obviously there are one or two people who blame him for the 10 points but, if anyone should blame him, it should be me losing 10 points when we could go up.

"But I know how hard he's worked and how hard he's tried. But hopefully someone else will come in."

Palace skipper Derry said: "It's been well documented what has happened in the last two or three weeks, culminating in a bad week for us last week with administration.

"But there's some spirit in this team. We have a mighty game away against Scunthorpe on Saturday. But we are going to enjoy tonight and look back on this result in a few years as a great victory."

Crystal Palace defender Danny Butterfield's shock at FA Cup hat-trick

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