Part one of this play off tie at Selhurst saw Palace suffer an injury time setback for the second time this season against these opponents and trail 2-1 going into this match but they know that for their season to continue they will need to come out of this one with a victory.

Neil Warnock made two changes to the starting line up with Matt Lawrence starting his first game since a hernia operation at the heart of defence and Sean Scannell comes in for Victor Moses.

Within the opening minutes of the game Palace had an early scare when Mark Hudson got back to clear with Marvin Elliott heading towards goal as Julian Speroni failed to get distance on his punch.  Speroni once again involved on seven minutes when he was in the right place to catch a shot from Lee Trundle.

Palace's first real attack of the evening nearly gave them their second penalty of the tie. Scott Sinclair showed some great skill to work his way into the box and appeared to have a good shout for a spot kick. Referee Howard Webb waved away the appeals from the visiting players but at least it was an early example of what a danger the tricky winger could be on the night.

Palace made the breakthrough which was so badly needed through Ben Watson as he scored his third goal in three games. The keeper Adriano Basso didn't punch well from a Danny Butterfield cross and it fell to the midfielder who headed it back into the net over a diving Basso to bring the tie level.

After a start which saw the home side holding the upper hand the Palace management team will be pleased with how their side come back into the game and showed that the tie is still very much alive.

At the other end City showed what a danger they can be from set pieces as  Jamie McAllister's free kick was headed onto the roof of the net by Jamie McCombe as Palace saw how they have to be on their guard in those situations.

For the first time on the night some of the bad feeling from Saturday appeared again just three minutes before the break. Assistant Manager Keith Millen was shown to the stands by Webb as he protested at a challenge by Clint Hill on Michael McIndoe in an incident which saw Clinton Morrison shown yellow as well as he clashed with the dismissed coach.

The half time whistle came along with Palace holding the advantage on the night as scores are level in a tie which is finally balanced after the first forty five minutes.

One change for Palace at the break as Jose Fonte came into the action at the expense of Lawrence.

An excellent one handed save from Speroni kept his side ahead on the night in the opening minutes of the second period. A close range header from Marvin Elliott from the first corner of the half was saved by the 'keeper as he scrambled across his goal to palm away the chance.

The game certainly appears more open this half and chances are falling to both sides,  Good defensive work from Palace denied Lee Trundle whilst Shaun Derry got through at the other end but his shot went straight at Basso.

For the second time in the tie Palace were awarded a penalty as Tom Soares was felled by Elliott and Webb pointed to the spot but this time Watson missed the kick as he struck the post as the drama continued.

Palace have retained their composure since the missed penalty and having a lot of pressure with the pace up front proving to be a real factor but they need to turn it into a winning goal. Hill shooting over from distance and Scannell's effort being grabbed by the keeper on the ground were the best efforts.

Scannell had a great chance as he collected a ball just outside the box from Morrison and turned but his shot was deflected for a corner. From that set piece the clearance fell to Trundle who broke clear and his shot struck the cross bar with Speroni beaten.

Two minutes of added time was played out and the game went into an extra period of thirty minutes.

A change from the City bench as Ivan Sproule replaced Noble at the start of added time,

The half started with pressure from the home side and a corner straight away, Carey has a close range header and then Hill shows great coolness to chest the ball back to his keeper when under pressure.

Watson at the other end drove a shot over the bar after some good football as the visitors used the width of the pitch well.

The home side finally got the equaliser on the night but go ahead in the tie as after 103 minutes Trundle curled one into the net past Speroni from inside the box as a clearance fell to him.

The break in extra time sees Victor Moses coming into the action for Shaun Derry.

The start of the second period sees Speroni soon in the action as he saves low down from Adebola.

The lead was further increased though as McIndoe fires home from a free kick to put the ball into the bottom corner past Speroni and now Palace would have to score two. Paul Ifill comes into the match for Sinclair.

Palace kept going and Basso saved an effort from Fonte who has now moved up front as he did in the first leg. The home side had so much space as Warnock's side tried to get something from the game, if only on the night but no further addition to the score.

The final whistle means that it's Bristol City who go to Wembley for the play-off final having won both legs by the odd goal. A great effort by Palace having turned their season around but disappointment to go out as they did themselves proud and couldn't have given anymore on a dramatic night of play off action in Bristol.

Teams:

Bristol City Basso, Orr, McCombe, Carey, McAllister, Noble (Sproule 91), Carle (Fontaine 113), Elliott, McIndoe, Trundle (Johnson 109), Adebola.

Subs Not Used: Weale, Byfield.

Booked: Carle.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Lawrence (Fonte 46), Hill, Soares, Watson, Derry (Moses 106), Scannell, Sinclair (Ifill 111), Morrison.

Subs Not Used: Craig, Fletcher.

Booked: Hill, Morrison.

Agg (4-2) After Extra Time

Att: 18,842      Referee : Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).