Late, late Freedman saves Palace

A goal by Dougie Freedman three minutes from time saved Crystal Palace from the ignominy of relegation to the Second Division for the first time in 24 years, this afternoon.

Before the start of play, Palace knew a win might not be enough to preserve their First Division status, and their worst fears were confirmed when nearest relegation rivals Portsmouth took an early lead in their match with Barnsley through Lee Bradbury.

The second half brought worse news for the Selhurst Park outfit when two further goals, from Gary O'Neil and Kevin Harper, put Portsmouth 3-0 up and all but confirmed their survival.

Palace were on the precipice, and looking unlikely to score, when on 87 minutes Freedman controlled a pass from Clinton Morrison before bursting into the Stockport area and firing into the top corner of the net.

The goal set off scenes of jubilation among the Palace supporters, although they had to bite their nails through five minutes of injury time before their escape act was confirmed.

The big losers were Huddersfield Town, who went down 2-1 at home to Birmingham City to slump into the second division.