Tale of hard luck leaves Palace's Euro Conference fate still hanging in the balance

Scene before kick-off in Strasbourg: Picture by Pennie Turrell

UEFA Conference League

Strasbourg 2-1 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace suffered the frustration of relinquishing a first-half lead and hitting the woodwork twice to no avail as their hopes of automatic qualification for the knockout stages of the Conference League took a blow last night in France.

And yet, the one time the hosts hit the woodwork, they scored from the rebound. It was that kind of night for Palace who did their utmost to take their latest unbeaten run to six games before succumbing to a team who should now finish among the eight favourites to go through. 

Palace's 35th minute goal came from a rare marksman, left back Tyrick Mitchell who overlapped to slam a low shot just inside the far post from Jean-Philippe's perfectly placed pass. 

Mitchell's exquisite shot followed a flurry of chances missed by Strasbourg but Palace should have gone further ahead when Lucas Hogsberg who was at fault with the goal, slipped up again to present Ismailia Sarr with an open goal 30 yards out.

Unfortunately for Palace, the striker hit the post and watched the ball trickle agonisingly the wrong side of the far upright. 

Strasbourg's escape did not spare the poor Dane, who was soon substituted, making way for Ben Chilwell who won an FA Cup winners' medal with Palace last season. The Chelsea loanee was to find himself on the victorious side again after Strasbourg had equalised through Emmanuel Emegha's close range 53rd minute volley from a cross by the excellent Diego Moreira on the left.

No sooner had Palace substitute Adam Wharton struck the bar following a glaring mistake by Ismael Doukoure than Strasbourg capitalised on their latest let-off to go down the other end for their winner. Julio Enciso lofted his free kick against the bar for Samir El Mourabet to run in the rebound before any Palace defender could intervene.

Strasbourg (4-2-3-1): Penders; Doue, Hogsberg (Chilwell 42), M Sarr, Barco; Doukoure, El Mourabet; Moreira, Enciso (Omobamidele 89), Nanasi (Paez 74); Emegha (Panichelli 74)

Eagles: (3-4-3): Henderson; Canvot, La Croix, Guehi (Richards 46); Munoz, Hughes (Wharton 31), Lerma (Kamada 82), Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta (Nketiah 62), Pino