Zaha fires Palace into playoff final

Crystal Palace have booked their place in the Championship playoff final courtesy of a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the second leg of their semi-final tie this evening.

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The visitors could have taken the lead after just five minutes when Owen Garvan's long-range strike was helped on its way by Aaron Wilbraham, but the striker got too much on his effort and sent it wide.

Brighton had a chance of their own shortly afterwards when Wilfried Zaha lost possession on the edge of his own box, allowing Will Buckley to shoot. Julian Speroni got across well, however, beating it away from his goal.

Dean Hammond came close to grabbing the opener in style when his strike looked goalbound, but it flew just wide of Speroni's . . .