Crystal Palace 1-2 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from Selhurst Park

David Noble's stoppage time goal earned City a crucial 2-1 advantage going into Tuesday's second leg play-off semi-final with Crystal Palace.

Louis Carey scored his first goal of the season and a stunning one at that on 53 minutes, rounding off a well-worked free kick with a bending shot into the top corner.

But a soft penalty decision against the City skipper four minutes from the end gave Ben Watson the chance to pull the home side level.

However, two minutes into injury time, Noble pulled out a cracking goal to give City a slender advantage to take back to Ashton Gate.

The game, understandably given what's at stake, took time to settle as both sides jostled for possession in the sweltering heat in SE25.

Watson fired an effort over the top for the home side on ten minutes. And moments later Nick Carle's foul on Scott Sinclair almost led to a penalty kick as the former Bristol Rovers winger was tripped right on the edge of the box.

Another long range drive, this time from 30 yards via the boot of Danny Butterfield had Basso tested for the first time, but the Brazilian made a comfortable stop.

City's first real foray into the Palace penalty area came on 19 minutes and Michael McIndoe was left screaming for a penalty after seemingly being tripped by Jose Fonte. Replays of the incident proved inconclusive as to whether the Portugeuse defender had brushed the ball with his sliding challenge, but any contact would have been slight.

Sinclair came close to opening the scoring just before the half hour as he lobbed the ball over his marker Jamie McCombe to get in a one-on-one situation with Basso. The tricky winger stabbed the ball beyond the City keeper, but with little power and Jamie McAllister was able to scamper back and clear.

City's best spell of the half followed. Dele Adebola tried to tee up Carle after turning his marker Fonte, and moments later from a Bradley Orr cross forced Julian Speroni, the Palace keeper, into a fine diving save. The chances kept coming as McIndoe had a shot deflected over and from the resulting corner Jamie McCombe's driven shot was blocked yards from goal.

Straight after half-time Watson saw his driven shot from 25 yards deflected inches wide of the post by McAllister's sliding tackle.

But then came the majestic opening goal - on 53 minutes - one that would be fit for the Premier League. A training ground free kick started with McIndoe rolling the ball to Noble, who faked to shoot but instead played it low to Carle in the box. The Australian instinctively found space around the penalty to leave the ball for Carey to curl in a beautiful goal.

Palace rallied with substitute James Scowcroft heading into the arms of Basso and Watson passed up a good chance when he nodded over unmarked from Butterfield's dangerous cross.

After that City closed up shop, with the back four excelling in conjunction with the newly-crowned player of the season Basso behind.

Adebola went on a bustling run on 82 minutes only to carve an opening and shoot into the side-netting.

But then, with just four minutes to go, came a crucial penalty incident. Carey slipped in the box and Fonte took advantage to take a tumble under little contact.

Watson took the resultant spot-kick and despite Basso guessing correctly, the midfielder sent the ball flashing into the bottom corner for 1-1.

But City were to have the last laugh as Noble scored a 30-yard screamer into the top corner for the winner.