Bradford City 1 - 2 Palace

Sat Dec 29 2001 - League

Trevor Francis got his first away win as Palace boss with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Bradford City.

It was only Palace's second win in the last 10 and their first away win since beating Wolves in October. While it was managerless Bradford's sixth loss in the last seven games.

Alex Kolinko carrying on his great recent form, was the Palace hero, denying the Bantams a draw with a number of outstanding saves.

Gregg Berhalter scored his first goal for the club when he opened the scoring with a 33rd minute freekick, drilled through the wall from the edge of the box.

Bradford equalised with the last kick of the first half when Robbie Blake fired home from 12 yards after being set up by Juanjo and Lee Sharpe.

Loan signing from Leicester Trevor Benjamin got the winning goal a minute into the second half with a 15-yard curler.

And palace held out for the win as Kolinko pulled off top-drawer saves from Juanjo twice, Ashley Ward, Wayne Jacobs and Stuart McCall.

Man of the Match: Kolinko - on a great run of form

Chant of the Match: jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it was to see PALACE WIN AWAY!

Post match comments:

Francis said: "I still believe we are lacking a little bit of strength in depth, but if we can get some of our regulars back to full fitness then there's no reason why we cannot get into the top six.

"We've just got to start improving away from home. We must work harder to keep clean sheets because we've only had one on the road all season.

"I've tried to improve us from the back since I took over and I am currently in talks with another defender. I'm hoping something will happen on that front on Monday."

Second-choice keeper Alex Kolinko kept Palace in the game with a string of outstanding saves.

Francis added: "He has been back-up to Matt Clarke, who used to play for Bradford, but has been out for the last six games through injury.

"He has done well for us and today he was outstanding because he made several crucial saves in the second half."

Bradford care-taker boss Steve Smith said: "We were right out of luck. I've now banned the word luck from the drssing room following these last two matches. You make your own in this game, but we've not had any.

"I don't care who now comes in and takes the job because whoever does come in I know they won't get any more out of the players.

"I said to them in the dressing room that I could not ask for any more from them. They have proven to me their commitment in these last two matches.

"I heard the rumours about who might be coming in, but until something actually happens then I cannot comment on it."

Send us your own match report Click here