Nationwide League: Clarke backs Akinbiyi

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Matt Clarke has pleaded with the club’s fans not to blame their play-off failure on Ade Akinbiyi.

The Eagles have struggled since manager Trevor Francis paid Leicester £2.2m (€3.5m) for Akinbiyi.

And the Palace faithful barracked their misfiring striker as the Eagles drew another blank at Crewe on Sunday to end their hopes of a top-six finish.

But Clarke defended Akinbiyi’s record of one goal in 12 games since his arrival two months ago.

He said: ‘‘The players are just as frustrated as the fans that we’ve failed to do the business.

‘‘But it’s not Ade’s fault. He offers more to the team than fans see on a Saturday afternoon.’’