Black brace sends Crystal Palace into fifth round

Crystal Palace 2

Trevor Francis’ First Division side’s passage was achieved with perspiration rather than inspiration after Danny Granville was red-carded for a two-footed lunge in first-half stoppage time.

Oldham dominated both in terms of possession in the early stages, with veteran Eyres prominent. Switching flanks, he popped upon the right to cut inside and shoot straight at Alex Kolinko from 20 yards.

But within seconds Palace took a 10th-minute lead. Danny Granville found room on the left and swung over a cross, which was looped over giant Australian goalkeeper Leslie Pogliacomi by the head of Black.

Black made the most of his free role in midfield and launched another attack with a neat turn on the halfway line, his run down the left ending with a low cross which defender David Beherall sliced over his own bar.

Oldham went close for an equaliser when Julian Baudet set himself to skid a shot narrowly wide from 30 yards.

But Mullins was not shy from distance himself and another firecracker at the other end was touched over by Pogliacomi.

Palace fans’ were off their seats again on the stroke of half-time when Granville was dismissed by referee Chris Foy for a two-footed lunge at Michael Clegg, which appeared to make minimal, if any, contact.

Oldham went into the match as the only side in England unbeaten on their travels this season.

That record includes 10 Division Two trips and three previous cup encounters, including the 1-0 win over West Ham in the last round and the extra-time success at Derby.

And their numerical advantage gave them a chance to further their streak.

Palace manager Trevor Francis, fined £1,000 by the Football Association today for cuffing Kolinko around the head during a match earlier this season, responded to Granville’s dismissal by withdrawing young striker Gareth Williams and sending on full-back Gary Borrowdale.

Ten-man Palace were intent on keep-ball to preserve their lead.

Yet they should have made it two from a rare move of quality as Black turned provider with a reverse pass to send Dele Adebola racing clear of the visitors’ defence. But the goal-shy striker’s lack of confidence was evident in his shot straight at Pogliacomi.

When the roles were reversed, however, Oldham were punished again.

Adebola slipped the ball into the path of Black, who steadied himself in the area before arrowing his shot across Pogliacomi from the right.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Kolinko, Powell, Symons, Popovic, Butterfield, Mullins, Riihilahti, Black, Granville, Williams, Adebola.

OLDHAM: Pogliacomi, Hall, Beharall, Hill, Clegg, Baudet, Eyres, Darren Sheridan, Armstrong, Wijnhard, Killen.