AND so the saga continues.

The final fate of Palace's soap opera season, which has of late witnessed more twists and turns than an Albert Square plotline, will be decided on the final day at neighbours Charlton.

After 92 minutes of uninspiring yet exciting football, Palace stood on the brink of a victory which would surely have consigned Southampton to relegation and made the home side red-hot favourites to avoid the drop.

But then Danny Higginbotham played Iago to Nicola Ventola's Othello and the Palace players sank to their knees in anguish.

There was certainly an element of tragedy about the defending which allowed the former Derby and Manchester United centre-back to ghost in almost unnoticed at the back post.

The otherwise imperious Michael Hughes had been tracking Higginbotham's run, but then inexplicably handed him on to an already overloaded defence.

The result was as painful as it was predictable, sparking wild celebrations in the away end.

In contrast Palace's supporters trudged out with downcast looks that suggested they had lost if not a loved one, then at least a family pet.

It reminded one of the late great Bill Shankley's comment that "Football is not a matter of life and death it's more important than that."

Certainly few Palace fans can have experienced many crueller afternoons, as they were forced to sit through 90 gut-churning minutes.

The term a "rollercoaster ride of emotions" is an overused one, but at least the Big Dipper has the decency only to last a few minutes.

"The league table does not lie" falls into the same category, but for the first half an hour it seemed especially apt as the occasion appeared to get the better of both sets of players.

Passes went astray, and for a time it seemed Palace had reserved their poorest performance of the season for their most important match.

But then, out of the blue, the game exploded into life.

First Fitz Hall, against his former club, struck an unstoppable 20-yard shot of which Andy Johnson, who had a rare quiet afternoon, would have been proud.

But it is oft said that teams are at their most vulnerable having just scored, and so it proved as less than 60 seconds later the Saints were awarded a penalty when Tony Popovic handled inside the box.

Despite the Holmesdale End's best efforts to distract the gangly striker, which included throwing unidentified flying objects onto the Selhurst turf, Peter Crouch tucked the penalty away low to Gabor Kiraly's right.

Some over-exuberant celebrations ensued in the away end, and it was some time before their enthusiasm was curbed by stewards and police.

The afternoon's other moment of controversy arrived in the 58th minute when Crouch, who had been barracked throughout by the home fans, appeared to kick out at Gonzalo Sorondo, who in turn reacted.

A melee inevitably ensued, though quite what Graeme Le Saux was doing getting so involved is anyone's guess.

After consultation with the linesman and fourth official referee Howard Webb dismissed both protagonists, and while the Saints man can have few complaints Sorondo, picking up his second red card of the campaign, certainly seemed more sinned against than sinner.

He will now miss the crucial final game at the Valley, and in his absence Iain Dowie will have to decide between playing midfielder Mikele Leigertwood, who filled in on Saturday, or the less-than-match-fit Danny Butterfield at right back.

It is a tough call, but so far this season Dowie has made very few wrong decisions.

Palace fans the length and breadth of the country, who will have the radio glued to their ears on Sunday, will be hoping his run continues for one more week.

Player ratings (4-5-1): Kiraly 6; Sorondo 5, Hall 7, Popovic 5 (Ventola 6), Granville 6; Soares 6, Riihilahti 5 (Watson 5), Leigertwood 5, Hughes 7, Routledge 5; Johnson 5.

Star man: Fitz Hall. A towering display against his old club. Took his goal like a seasoned striker, and coped admirably with the twin threats of Crouch and Camara.

Substitues not used: Speroni, Freedman, Lakis.

Scorers: Hall (35), Ventola (72).

Sent off: Sorondo (58) Referee: Howard Webb Attendance: 26,066