Crystal Palace ended their Nationwide League Division One home campaign on a high, beating Stoke City thanks to a late Dele Adebola strike which denied the Potters the point they need to nail down their Division One safety.

The visitors, needing a point to avoid relegation, played defensively and going for the draw backfired as substitute Adebola slotted in from Dougie Freedman's cross with nine minutes left after Tommy Black took a quick free-kick.

Palace captain Hayden Mullins hopes that ex-Eagle favourite Steve Coppell's Brighton win their last match and Stoke lose for the Seagulls to stay up.

He said: "Steve's a good manager and it's going to be an exciting finish, but I hope they stay up.

"A couple of years ago we were in the same situation and we just scraped it by winning at Stockport. It's a desperate position to be in."

It was a dour game with few chances and Stoke were grateful to keeper Mark Crossley for making a series of good saves to keep them in the match.

Danny Butterfield struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box which Crossley tipped over on 13 minutes.

From the resulting corner, he saved on-loan striker Noel Whelan's effort, while at the other end, Alex Kolinko was only called into action in the 53rd minute to deny Andy Cooke.

It looked like Stoke would hold on for the point they needed until Adebola popped up to make them sweat it out on the last game.

Meanwhile, a number of names have been in the frame to replace Trevor Francis, who left the club's managerial seat.

Iain Dowie, Ronnie Moore, George Burley, Steve Cotterill, Steve Kember, Bryan Robson, Jean Tigana, George Graham, Alan Pardew, Leroy Rosenior, Brian Little and Steve Coppell have all been linked.

Mullins added: "Hopefully, it will be someone who will have the impact Steve Bruce had and lift us up the league."

Palace play their last match of the season away to Gillingham, on Sunday, kick-off is at 1.30pm.

April 30, 2003 10:00