Ward the hero for Eagles
By Adam Marshall. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Darren Ward was Crystal Palace's hero as Iain Dowie's men earned their first win of the new Championship season.
The former Millwall defender scored the only goal of the game against Plymouth Argyle to cheer the Selhurst Park faithful.
Nuno Mendes's appeal for a penalty after a clash with Emmerson Boyce fell on deaf ears as Plymouth started confidently.
Palace's first real attempt came when star striker Andy Johnson was inches off target from Garry Borrowdale's centre. Only Roman Larrieu prevented the England international from getting on the scoresheet just before half time following Boyce's cross.
Plymouth seemed to be containing the South Londoners and Larrieu was enjoying himself, parrying Jobi McAnuff's shot onto a post in fine fashion.
The breakthrough did arrive, though, when Ward netted from close range after Ben Watson's corner fell nicely for him. The centre back profited after touches from Boyce and Johnson.
Gabor Kiraly stopped Paul Wotton's header after good play by Akos Buszaky but Palace took the points, despite Ward making a blatant handball in the closing stages and escaping a red card.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Darren Ward
