FOOTBALL: TOMMY GUNS 'EM DOWN

TOMMY BLACK'S brilliant brace put Crystal Palace firmly in the play-off picture heading into the New Year.

The former Arsenal youth star struck on 38 and 55 minutes to take his tally to seven goals from his last seven appearances.

Black put Palace into a deserved half-time lead by heading Julian Gray's superb cross past David Lucas.

The 23-year-old then added a second when he drilled in a free- kick from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

The victory was no more than Palace deserved as they dominated Preston from the opening minute.

After just five minutes Palace could have had a penalty but referee Andy Hall adjudged Colin Murdock's challenge on Dele Adebola was a fair one.

Seconds later, Danny Butterfield crossed from the right and Kit Symons powered a header against the upright.

Palace fans were revelling in the delightful play and Adebola was put in by David Mullins only for Lucas to rescue them.

Keeper Alex Kolinko was having a relaxing afternoon at the other end, but he did well to deny Paul McKenna from close range, pushing his shot into the air before reclaiming it at the second attempt.

The second half proved no different, although Preston felt aggrieved over the free-kick that led to Black's second. McKenna appeared to win the ball from substitute Aki Riihilahti on the edge of the box, but instead Hall booked the midfielder.

However, that was as hot as it got and Palace have now bagged 13 points fromtheir last five games. MAN OF THE MATCH TOMMY BLACK Another brilliant brace CRYSTAL PALACE: Kolinko 6, Popovic 7, Symons 7, Powell 6 (Riihilahti 6), Granville 7, Mullins 8, Derry 7, Butterfield 7, Gray 7, Adebola 7 (Routledge 6), BLACK 9 (Akinbiyi 6). PRESTON: Lucas 7, Broomes 6, Murdock 6, Lucketti 6, McKenna 6, Skora 5 (Lewis 5), Etuhu 6 (Abbott 5), Alexander 6. Healy 5 (Anderson 5), Cresswell 6, Mears 6. MANAGER RATINGS:Francis 7; Brown 5. REFEREE:A Hall 5.

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