Warnock happy to avoid drop

Last updated at 22:55 08 March 2008


Neil Warnock

enjoyed a celebratory

drink last night after

Ben Watson's goal

ensured victory over

Colchester and fulfilled

his primary objective of

Championship safety.

Palace were in trouble

in October when

Warnock took over as

manager from Peter

Taylor but, inspired by a

clutch of promising

teenagers, they are now

play-off contenders with

nine games remaining.

Warnock said: "I'll

crack the champagne

open this evening

because we're safe."

Palace were caught

napping two minutes

after taking the lead

through Phil Ifil's own

goal and Kevin Lisbie

was allowed the freedom

of Selhurst Park to

equalise. But Watson had

the last word with 16

minutes remaining.

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