Watford 1 v 2 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace 2 v 0 Leicester City

Coca-Cola Championships

IAIN Dowie could not have had a better start to the new year as goals from Jobi McAnuff and Andy Johnson sealed win number four of the festive season.

The victory, on the back of wins at Watford and Ipswich and a home triumph over Derby County, has stabalised the Eagles' play-off spot of fifth in the Championship.

The duo scored late on when it looked like they would have to settle for a point when Johnson saw a 75th-minute penalty saved by Leicester goalkeeper Robert Douglas.

But after good work by Dougie Freedman on the right McAnuff arrived and swept in a left-footed shot from 12 yards.

Johnson added to the score in injury time when he rammed home from 18 yards after Mikele Leigertwood's pass.

Dowie said: "I think there is a belief in the dressing room we can keep clean sheets and grind results out.

"If you get a clean sheet, you can win the game and we are always confident of scoring in matches.

"There is an expectation at the moment. It is testimony to the lads' fitness we finished so strong."

Against Watford it was an Andy Johnson penalty which secured the victory and closed the gap on their play-off rivals.

Darren Ward had given the visitors an early lead when he bundled in his second goal in as many games and it took until near the hour for Watford to level through Darius Henderson.

Late on Clarke Carlisle was adjudged to have pulled back Clinton Morrison and Johnson wrapped up the points.

Dowie said: "It was a penalty. A lot of penalty decisions have gone against us this season so it was nice to get one.

"We should have been more than one goal ahead at half-time because we knew they would rally in the second-half.

"But we dealt well with Watford's direct style and we looked strong."

For pictures from the seasonal fixtures visit Palace pictures.