McCarthy gives Thornton start in play off

Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie backed the men who had given his side the slimmest of advantages in their Nationwide Division One play-off semi-final to complete the job at Sunderland.

Dowie named the same team for the second leg at the Stadium of Light after seeing the Eagles secure a 3-2 lead at Selhurst Park on Friday night courtesy of Andy Johnson’s 87th-minute strike.