Poor finishing cost Crystal Palace the chance to progress in the Worthington Cup last week as Sheffield Wednesday went through on penalties.

Palace had chances in normal time, through Jovan Kirovski and Clinton Morrison, to have been back on the M1 and dreaming of the last 16.

However, their failure to convert the Eagles' footballing superiority set the stage for Owls keeper Kevin Pressman to seal the tie with three class saves from the spot.

Yet the evening had begun so terribly for the Wednesday stopper, as he watched an innocuous Simon Rodger free-kick bounce in the area and loop over his head after five minutes.

And the visitors to Hillsborough should have increased their advantage but Kirovski missed a simple chance unmarked in the Owls' box and Morrison headed straight into the side-netting from an excellent opening by Rodger.

Palace, who always looked the tidier and more skilful side, were made to pay for their attackers' shortcomings on the night when Wednesday bundled in a corner just after the hour. After that, the match became a more fervent cup tie, with chances at both ends, but some competent defending and lacklustre front play brought about a cagey half-hour of extra-time.

Aki Riihilahti looked to have sealed the win for Palace when he tapped in Kirovski's centre on 105 minutes but the spirited Owls came back again and Tony Crane's floated header sailed over Matt Clarke to level the teams again.

Pressman it was, then, whose saves brought Wednesday through, as he brilliantly parried spot-kicks from Dean Austin, Tony Popovic and Kirovski, while Matt Clarke saved only Quinn's effort.

The Eagles were left to lament the fact the former England keeper's heroics only came about because of their own lack of sparkle up front.

October 25, 2001 13:30