Palace's deadly strike duo secured three points against Gillingham on Wednesday, the Eagles' third successive league victory which lifts them back into promotion contention.

Two goals from Clinton Morrison and a delightful chip from Dougie Freedman saw off the Gills challenge, after Palace had let their opponents back into the game with a succession of missed chances.

Trevor Francis selected an exciting 4-3-3 formation with Julian Gray in a free-role, and the tactics caught Gillingham by surprise in front of 17,646 at Selhurst Park.

After just four minutes, Palace opened the scoring with a quick flowing move through an absent Gills defence. Freedman cut in from the right flank and found Gray, who immediately played it on for Morrison to finish coolly.

Moments later Palace broke again, and their four-pronged attack faced just two defenders. Freedman released Morrison who shot past the post when he really should have squared it.

On 11 minutes, Palace missed another chance when Hayden Mullins released loan signing Trevor Benjamin who cut on to his left and blazed a gilt-edged chance harmlessly wide.

Morrison wasted another chance when his right foot drive went narrowly wide, before Gills started to over-run the undermanned Eagles midfield.

With no cover in front of him, Danny Granville, on his home debut, was exposed to the pace and skill of young Marlon King, who's cross was met by a Iffy Unuora header which Aki Riihilahti did well to clear.

Moments later Unuora did score when Paul Shaw crossed, again from the right. Unuora's header hit one post, before rolling along the line and going in off the other.

Gills then enjoyed the best of the half, with Alex Kolinko having to tip a wicked King drive against the cross bar.

Francis replaced the ineffective Benjamin with fit-again Jamie Smith for the second half and switched to an orthodox 4-4-2, with great effect.

Palace gradually took control, and after 60 minutes a mazy run by Gray, having one of his best games for Palace, freed Mullins whose 25yard shot lashed the cross bar.

Five minutes later Palace went in front, when Freedman turned Gray's into the path of Morrison. He beat Vince Bartram with a lovely dummy, but amazingly stood on the ball, and fell over. Luckily for the Irishman, the ball trickled over the line for his 18th goal of the sea-son.

Mullins and Smith were then booked as the game fizzled out, before Freedman supplied the moment of the match with a delicate chip in the last minute for his 18th of the season.

Three points well won, and much of the credit goes to Francis for astute tactical changes.

January 18, 2002 16:30