Palace Chief Executive Phil Alexander has had his proposal to extend the playoffs from four to six teams accepted in principle by the football league.

The plan is for the seventh and eighth-placed teams to travel to play the fifth and sixth outfits in a one-off quarter-final. The winners would visit the third and fourth-placed sides (with no second leg) in a semi-final to decide who is in the final.

A recent meeting between all 72 Nationwide League clubs at Leicester's Walkers Stadium, accepted the proposal, which is to be ratified at the football league AGM on June 5.

l Fulham Ladies take on Charlton Athletic in The FA Women's Cup Final, in partnership with Nationwide at Selhurst Park on Bank Holiday Monday (KO 1pm).Tickets are £3 for adults (£1 concessions) on 020 8771 8841.

PALACE RESERVES 1 NORWICH 3

Palace's second string went down to an experienced Norwich side that included six first team members on Wednesday, losing their unbeaten home record.

Gareth Williams put the Eagles one up after 17 minutes when a throw on the left found the Welshman who hooked a low shot into the centre of the net.

Norwich then sprung into action in the 25th as David Neilson forced a corner past Berthelin to equalise. Both sides had chances before Neilson put Norwich 2-1 up in the 60th minute.

With 10 minutes to go, the game was won, when Neilson claimed his hat trick by smashing a shot into the top-right corner leaving Berthelin with no chance.

But the title has already been won and, with Portsmouth losing, Norwich look set to finish in second place behind Palace.

Palace Team (5-3-2): Berthelin, Soares, Borrowdale, Antwi, Hunt (c), Gibson, Wilson, Surey, Williams, Nabil, Heeroo

Subs: Simpson, Hay (For Soares '46), Conroy (For Williams '83), Dolan

Terry Byfield

Communications Manager

April 30, 2003 12:30