Palace won 2-1, but the old adage of making sure you take your chances is probably ringing in the ears of the Southampton players this weekend. George Burley's side must have missed at least six clearcut chances, but every time they either missed the target or found man of the match Gabor Kiraly in the way.
Iain Dowie made a number of changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Burnley on Easter Monday. Danny Butterfield was in the starting XI for the first time since October after recovering from a pelvis injury, whilst Jobi McAnuff, Dougie Freedman, Andrew Johnson, Fitz Hall, Tony Popovic and Michael Hughes also returned.
Southampton, who were unbeaten in four, tore straight into Palace from kick-off and in the first minute Gabor Kiraly plucked a Nathan Dyer corner off Grzegorz Rasiak's head and in the third minute the Hungarian had to be alert again as Jim Brennan whipped in a dangerous free-kick.
In the ninth minute Rasiak had a golden opportunity to give Saints the lead but he shot straight at Kiraly from inside the penalty area.
Palace were struggling to impose themselves but in the 16th minute Hall had a great chance to score. Still in the Saints' area after a corner, Hall found himself through on goal on the left hand side after Hughes' toe-poke but the centre-back shot wide.
The game was suddenly sparking into life. In a crazy two minute period Dyer hit a shot straight at Kiraly, then Johnson forced Saints keeper Kevin Miller into a low save before the former Palace man made a fabulous double save from Popovic and Freedman following a corner.
Palace's Hungarian international Kiraly was having a fantastic game as he denied Dyer again when the flying winger decided to shoot early from about 20 yards out. Southampton seemed to be on top as five minutes later Darren Potter flashed a shot just wide of the Palace goal.
As half-time approached Ben Watson shot over from the edge of the box but in the 37th minute Saints youngster Andrew Surman headed over the bar from a Fuller cross when he really should have got the ball on target.
Palace went directly up the other end and Johnson found himself through on goal but he was brought down by a Saints defender. Much to the disgust of the Palace players referee Beeby waved play-on and once again AJ had been denied a spot-kick decision. Freedman nearly found the net moments later but his header was gobbled up by Miller.
The second-half continued much as the first as Dyer was once again denied by Kiraly after a drive from the right in the 48th minute then Surman was guilty of a glaring miss as he side footed wide from the penalty spot following Fuller's centre. It was one way traffic for the Saints as Kiraly was forced to clear from Fuller and Popovic made a last ditch tackle to deny Rasiak.
In the 60th minute Palace were denied another penalty as Freedman seemed to be pulled down by Miller in the box but once again referee Beeby waved play-on. Freedman tried to stay on his feet and the fact that he didn't go straight down may have worked against him.
Southampton were creating chances at will and Potter was the latest player to inexplicably miss the target as he struck over from eight yards. Then in the 62nd minute Southampton were made to rue their missed chances as Johnson gave Palace the lead.
Reich's long range shot was deflected and after a few moments of pinball in the penalty area the ball fell to Johnson who made no mistake. It was tough on Southampton who had dominated the second-half but failed to get a shot on target, let alone a goal.
Seven minutes after taking a fortunate lead Palace once again switched of at the back from a free-kick. This time Southampton did take their chance and Fuller converted a simple header. It was the former Palace striker's fifth goal in four games and his seventh in seven if you include his loan spell at Ipswich.
After a brief lull in proceedings Palace staged a late rally, sided by some fresh legs in Mikele Leigertwood, Clinton Morrison and Tom Soares. In the 80th minute a typical McAnuff run resulted in a shot just wide and a few minutes later Palace took the lead for a second time.
Popovic surged forward from defence before playing an inch perfect throughball to Morrison. The Republic of Ireland striker then produced a fine left foot finish to beat Miller in the Saints goal for what proved to be the winner.
Palace may have rode their luck but they head into the final game of the season unbeaten in three matches.
PALACE: Kiraly; Butterfield, Popovic, Hall, Borrowdale; McAnuff, Watson (Soares 78), Hughes (c), Reich (Leigertwood 63); Johnson, Freedman (Morrison 73).
Subs: Speroni, Macken.
Booked: Morrison.
Scorers: Johnson (62), Morrison (81)
SOUTHAMPTON: Miller; Baird, Lundekvam (c), Kenton (Ostlund 69), Brennan; Wright, Potter, Surman, Dyer; Fuller, Rasiak (Jones 73).
Subs: Smith, Prutton, Blackstock.
Booked: Baird, Ostlund.
Scorers: Fuller (69).
