October 19 2005

Iain Dowie

Iain Dowie admitted Palace were second best as Brighton snatched a shock win at Selhurst Park.

Brighton defender Paul McShane, on loan from Manchester United, grabbed the winner with a 78th minute header.

Dowie was furious with his side's lacklustre display but claimed they hadn't under-estimated the south coast strugglers.

He said: "Great credit to Mark McGhee and Brighton, who have done tremendously well, but I am angry.

"What was said in the dressing room stays there but yes, I'm disappointed and angry.

"That was not a performance I want to be associated with this football club. I'm not happy, and neither should the players be.

"I'm not going to over-react, it's only the one game, but I'm disappointed with the manner in which we lost.

"We didn't put the extra 10% in that you need in these games. Our options were limited, our movement wasn't there.

"We prepared to play Brighton like we prepare to play anyone else, I didn't under-estimate them and if my players did then more fool them.

"It was a passionate atmosphere, but there was not enough passion on the pitch. It didn't look like it was a derby from our point of view at times."

Andy Johnson missed the match after the knee injury that kept him out for a month flared up again.

Dowie said: "His knee's not settled down and there's a little soreness. He might have been able to play tonight but it isn't worth the risk

"We'll have a look tomorrow and we'll know more. I don't know if he'll be ready for Burnley on Saturday - maybe on the bench - we'll have to wait and see."