Reuters

Noble scores spectacular winner

Updated 15.46 Sat May 10 2008

Keywords: david noble, ben watson, louis carey, gary johnson, neil warnock, crystal palace, bristol city, play-offs, championship, premier league, football, sport

Bristol City midfielder David Noble scored an injury-time winner to earn a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

The former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder scored with a long-range shot in the 92nd minute at Selhurst Park, to earn City a crucial lead going into the second leg at Ashton Gate on Tuesday.

"Celebrations should be kept until you are through because football has a habit of getting you back" - Neil Warnock

City had taken the lead early in the second half through defender Louis Carey.

Carey conceded a penalty with five minutes to play and Palace midfielder Ben Watson converted.

But Noble's winning goal has taken City a step closer to a place in the play-off final and the chance of playing in the top flight for the first time since 1980.

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock claimed the City players and management overcelebrated Noble's winning goal.

He said: "I think you could see from their celebrations that they were already at Wembley. I didn't think much of their celebrations to be honest.

"There was no need to go off like they did. They are 2-1 up but I think celebrations should be kept until you are through because football has a habit of getting you back."