CRYSTAL Palace manager Ian Holloway is refusing to celebrate after guiding the Eagles to a play-off double date with Brighton.

The Selhurst Park guaranteed their spot in the end of season lottery thanks to today’s 3-2 victory over Peterborough.

Mile Jedinak’s 89th minute header sealed the win, Palace’s first in the Championship since early March, and also consigned Posh to League One.

But despite finally getting his side over the line following weeks of tension around SE25, Holloway immediately turned his attention to the forthcoming encounters with old foes Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Eagles chief said: “I know we’ve achieved one thing, which is getting in the play-offs, and I’m totally and utterly focused on that. I’m not celebrating.

“I’m very pleased for the group, they deserve it and now we’ve got to get to work and make sure we come up with a plan that can stop their (Brighton’s) attacking football, stop them winning and then win one of the two games if we can against our arch rivals, which I know all about now.”

Palace fell behind to Lee Tomlin’s 28th minute opener but were back on terms just before the break through Glenn Murray’s penalty.

Peterborough were back in front on 63 minutes when Nathniel Mendez-Long’s shot beat Julian Speroni.

Substitute Kevin Phillips restored parity with a clinical 83rd minute strike before Jedinak broke Posh’s hearts in the final minute by heading home the winner.

Holloway said: “I’m very pleased for the lads and the crowd.

“I thought the way that game went is about as ridiculous as the last few weeks have been going.

“We started absolutely fantastic , should have scored, didn’t score and we find ourselves one down.

“But what I’m finding out really quickly about this group is their character. “We needed something before half-time, we got a penalty and it was a penalty.

“That brought the confidence back and then typical of how it has been going we let another goal in against the run of play, but you’ve got to give Peterborough credit.

“I thought they kept going and kept going.

“They’ve got some wonderful footballers but I just couldn’t believe how we were behind in that game.”

Holloway added: “The lads in the end got themselves in a pickle, I had to change it from what they’re not used to, from what they’re not comfortable with to more attacking and it worked.

“There’s always somewhere in between being a good defensive unit and being a good attacking unit.

“Luckily for us we found that balance in the end.”

Holloway also paid tribute to the impact made by Phillips from the bench.

“Kevin Phillips’ strike is what he has done all of his career and players as good as him can win you things,” the manager said.

“Hopefully he can help me do that with this group because the group deserves something out of their season.

“The last six weeks have been a living breathing nightmare but they’ve come through it and I think we will be stronger for it.

“Now we’ve got Brighton home and away, so it is all fresh.”

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