PALACE'S promotion hopes took a huge blow in a dramatic first-leg play-off semi-final at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles were left with a mountain to climb at Ashton Gate on Tuesday courtesy of David Noble's 25-yard injury-time screamer for Bristol City.
A lively first-half which was littered with free-kicks saw Ben Watson come close after 10 minutes when his 20-yard drive drifted over Adriano Basso's crossbar.
Scott Sinclair was also unlucky when his right foot shot was cleared off the line by Jamie McAllister.
But it was Louis Carey's curling right foot shot for City which broke the deadlock soon after the break following a beautifully worked free-kick.
Watson levelled on 86 minutes when he drove his penalty into the left corner following a foul from Louis Carey on Jose Fonte.
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But City claimed the advantage when David Noble fired into Speroni's top left corner.
CRYSTAL PALACE: Julian Speroni, Clint Hill, Mark Hudson, Clinton Morrison, Ben Watson, Scott Sinclair, Tom Soares, Danny Butterfield, Jose Fonte, Shaun Derry (Matt Lawrence 75), Victor Moses (James Scowcroft 54 (Ifill 60).
Subs: Matt Lawrence, Carl Fletcher, Sean Scannell.
BRISTOL CITY: Adriano Basso, Bradley Orr, James McAllister, Jamie McCombe, Louis Carey, David Noble, Nick Carle, Michael McIndoe, Lee Trundle, Marvin Elliott, Dele Adebola.
Subs:Liam Fontaine, Chris Weale, Ivan Sproule, Lee Johnson, Darren Byfield.
Looks like Rola Cola Championship next season you mugs!
Palace bottled it! Did you see Warnock on the final whistle! What an idiot crying and whinging as usual!
Looks like Rola Cola Championship next season you mugs!
Palace bottled it! Did you see Warnock on the final whistle! What an idiot crying and whinging as usual!
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