Sheffield United 1
Morgan 81
Crystal Palace 0

An 81st minute strike from Chris Morgan was enough to grab all three points for the already Premiership-bound Sheffield United in a dour, meaningless affair at Bramall Lane.

United's victory means the Eagles end the regular season in sixth place and in the process set up a play-off semi-final against Watford, who secured third spot with a point at home to Hull.

Palace manager Iain Dowie was quick to play down the defeat at the hands of the Blades ahead of the semi-final first leg this Saturday lunch-time at Selhurst Park.

"It's never pleasing to get beaten but I thought we looked comfortable for most of the game. We looked very strong and powerful and it was just our final ball that let us down. We switched off at a vital time and Sheffield United punished us.

"We were unfortunate to have had a goal ruled out. The linesman was involved in something but he didn't need to be and I've had three people ring me to say it was onside."

With Palace having already made safe their play-off berth some weeks ago, Dowie was able to rest key players, choosing to omit the influential trio of Andrew Johnson, Michael Hughes and Emmerson Boyce ahead of the trip to south Yorkshire.

With AJ absent, Clinton Morrison and Dougie Freedman started up-front for the first time since the 2-0 defeat away at Luton in November.

Indeed, Morrison had an early opportunity to make it two goals in two games following his winner against Southampton last Saturday, when Jobi McAnuff scampered down the left wing in the fourth minute before firing over an inviting low cross that the Republic of Ireland international couldn't quite connect to.

Midway through the opening half, United midfielder Michael Tonge came close to opening the scoring when he collected Chris Armstrong's short pass from the left flank before lashing a dipping drive that wouldn't drop under the Palace bar.

Two minutes before the break the influential Ben Watson played a delightful 30-yard through ball for Morrison to latch on to and despatch past Paddy Kenny in the United goal. Agonisingly for Palace the assistant linesman flagged wrongly for offside, a decision confirmed as incorrect by TV replays.

After the break Morrison could have put Palace in front, but his 58th minute header from Marco Reich's cross flew just over the bar.

But it was to be Neil Warnock's men who ended the game strongest in what was ultimately a drab affair, short on excitement.

Palace star man: Ben Watson. A strong display at the heart of midfield. Puts in the passes and tackles that can sometimes go unnoticed. A key man at Palace these days.Crystal Palace: Kiraly 7, Borrowdale 7, Ward 6 (Hudson 76 6), Fitz Hall 7 (Butterfield 58 6), Popovic 7, McAnuff 8, Watson 8, Soares 7, Reich 6, Freedman 6 (Macken 66 5), Morrison 7