Crystal Palace 1-0 Crewe

The pressure has eased on Palace boss Smith

Crystal Palace ended their run of six straight defeats as they clinched their first victory at Selhurst Park since early December.

Dean Austin scored the vital goal for the south London side after 60 minutes to ease the pressure off Eagles boss Alan Smith.

The first half was an untidy affair but chances were on offer for both sides.

The Eagles had more possession as Smith gambled with an attacking formation of three strikers.

Crewe breathed a sigh of relief on 15 minutes as David Hopkin charged through after a goalmouth scramble but his shot was brilliantly saved by Ademola Bankole.

Finnish midfielder Aki Riihilahti, who scored for his country against England last Saturday, and Simon Rodger linked up well in midfield while Crewe's Rodney Jack was a threat to the home side.

Crewe's best chance came midway through the first half when Mark Rivers beat the offside trap but scuffed his shot from 15 yards out straight at Alex Kolinko, who saved easily.

Dougie Freedman had a couple of useful chances but Bankole was again in great form with excellent stops. Austin also had a shot blocked on the line as the home side continued to press.

Straight after the break, half-time sub Tommy Black outpaced his marker Stephen Foster but after dribbling past Bankole the ex-Gunner lost his balance and Crewe survived again.

Morrison then brought out further saves from Bankole before the Eagles eventually snatched the vital goal on 60 minutes.

Fan Zhiyi forced his way to the byline following Black's pass and although his shot was cleared away Austin was perfectly placed on the edge of the box with a thunderbolt which flew into the roof of the net via a deflection.

Crewe were not out of it by any means and Rivers missed a great chance afterwards and minutes later hesitated in front of goal with only Kolinko to beat.

Palace, however, with Riihilahti outstanding in midfield continued to search for a second.

Forssell shot wide as so did Black before the former shot against a post and a Morrison header shortly afterwards was cleared off the line.

But Crewe went for all-out attack in the final 10 minutes and gave Palace a few scares but the Eagles held out.

---

Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Upson, Austin, Zhiyi, Harrison, Riihilahti, Rodger, Hopkin, Freedman, Forssell, Morrison. Subs: Black, Frampton, Rubins, Fuller, Verhoenen.

Crewe: Bankole, Macauley, Shaun Smith, Wright, Foster, Lunt, Sorvel, Street, Jack, Rivers, Ashton. Subs: Kearton, Little, Sodje, Hulse, Navarro.

Referee: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn)