Palace went to within two points of Watford after two own goals helped them to a 3-1 win. Another goal from substitute Dougie Freedman put Palace on the road to another three points in the race for the Premiership.  

Iain Dowie made one change to the side that lost at Derby with Tony Popovic replacing Mikele Leigertwood. Fitz Hall moved to right-back to accommodate the Aussie international while Emmerson Boyce moved flanks to the left-back berth.

Both sides were comfortably entrenched in the play-off places and in the early exchanges there was nothing to separate the teams. But Jobi McAnuff was finding acres of space on the left wing and Matthew Spring found space in the Palace penalty area forcing Gabor Kiraly to tip his cross behind for a corner.

After 13 minutes Darren Ward was forced to hook the ball away from Marlon King from off his own goal-line as Watford pushed forward but it was Palace that nearly took the lead in the 16^th minute. Clinton Morrison won a free-kick on the edge of the Watford box and Ben Watson's first-time strike was centimetres away from hitting the back of the net.

Palace's next attempt on goal also came courtesy of a free-kick but Michael Hughes shot well over, although Watson was booked for taking the original kick too quickly according to referee Thorpe.

Highly rated youngster Chris Eagles shot over in the 26^th minute following Ashley Young's cross as Watford looked the more likely to score and they did in the 29^th minute through Marlon King. The division's leading scorer found himself clean through from near the halfway line following Spring's through ball and he calmly rounded Kiraly before rolling the ball into the net.

Palace nearly hit back straight away though. Tom Soares rolled the ball to Morrison on the edge of the box and his first time shot was well saved by Foster and McAnuff's low cross from the follow up was hacked away to safety.

A few minutes later Morrison stabbed a shot wide from Watson's low cross and as half-time approached Andrew Johnson hit an overhead kick straight at Foster in the Watford goal. Then, yet again Johnson was denied a penalty as he seemed to be felled in the area, but like Derby last week the referee waved play-on.

The second-half got off for a terrible start for the Eagles as Johnson was carried off five minutes into the half with ahead injury following a collision with Foster near the touchline. Freedman came on to replace Johnson who left the field on a stretcher covered by a red blanket.

A few minutes later and Darren Ward deflected a Darius Henderson shot over but the game was turned on it;s head in the 54^th minute as McAnuff was brought down in the area by Jay DeMerit. Sub Freedman was the man to take the penalty and even though Foster saved his effort the Scot was on hand to put home the rebound.

The game was being played a frantic pace and Palace poured forward in search of another goal and in the 59^th minute they got it thanks to some goof fortune. Fitz Hall's long throw from the right didn't look too dangerous but Jordan Stewart's backheader looped over his own goalkeeper and nestled cozily into the corner of the net, much to the delight of the Holmesdale Road end.

Palace continued to threaten and Morrison flashed a cross across the six yard box and McAnuff was causing problems on the break. In the 79^th minute the Jamaican international came close to scoring when he tested Foster from the edge of the box.

Palace earned sealed the match in the 85^th thanks to a second own goal. Tom Soares beat Stewart on the right and his low cross was turned into his own net by the unfortunate DeMerit. It was a just reward for Palace who defended resolutely. Apart from a deflected Young free-kick at 3-1 Watford rarely threatened and Palace kept their slim hope of automatic promotion alive for another week.

Palace: Kiraly; F Hall, Ward, Popovic, Boyce; Soares, Watson (Riihilahti 86), Hughes (c) (Leigertwood 89), McAnuff; Johnson (Freedman 50), Morrison.
Subs not used: Speroni, Reich.
Booked: Watson.
Scorers: Freedman (54), Stewart (59og), DeMerit (86og).

Watford: Foster; Doyley, Mackay, DeMerit, Stewart (Bangura 86); Eagles (McNamee 83), Spring, Mahon (c), Young; Henderson, King.
Subs not used: Chamberlain, Chambers, Carlisle.
Scorers: King (29).