Crystal Palace survive Bolton scare

AFP, LONDON: Christian Benteke spared Sam Allardyce’s blushes as the Crystal Palace striker came off the bench to inspire a 2-1 win over Bolton, while Lincoln and Sutton pulled off shock victories in Tuesday’s FA Cup third round replays.
Palace manager Allardyce had gone five matches without a win since replacing the sacked Alan Pardew just before Christmas.
He was in danger of an embarrassing Cup exit when the struggling Premier League team fell behind to James Henry’s 48th minute goal at Selhurst Park.
But Allardyce sent on Benteke and the switch paid immediate dividends as the former Liverpool striker headed Palace’s 68th minute equaliser.
Benteke completed Palace’s revival with a fierce finish from Andros Townsend’s cross in the 77th minute to set up a home tie with Manchester City in the fourth round.
“Wins grow confidence. There’s no doubt about that. How much confidence we get from this will show on Saturday,” Allardyce said.
At Sincil Bank, National Conference leaders Lincoln sent second tier Ipswich crashing out with a surprise 1-0 win.
In their first game since his death last week, Lincoln paid a memorable tribute to their former player and manager Graham Taylor. Danny Cowley’s fifth tier side are into the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1975-76, when they were still managed by Taylor.
Nathan Arnold got the winner from Adam Marriott’s pass to book a fourth round tie at home to Championship high-fliers Brighton.
“A non-league team into the fourth round of the FA Cup? It’s what dreams are made of and we’ve got to enjoy it,” Arnold said.
Sutton, currently 15th in the fifth tier, lived up to their reputation as FA Cup giant-killers with a shock 3-1 win at third tier AFC Wimbledon. Sutton famously stunned Coventry, then playing in the top-flight and just two years removed from winning the competition, in the third round in 1989.
Beating Wimbledon can’t quite equal that feat but winning at their south-west London neighbours was still an impressive achievement that booked a lucrative home fourth round tie against Championship promotion chasers Leeds.
Tom Elliott put Wimbledon in front with a 10th minute header, but the hosts had defender Paul Robinson sent off five minutes later.

Crystal Palace survive Bolton scare

AFP, LONDON: Christian Benteke spared Sam Allardyces blushes as the Crystal Palace striker came off the bench to inspire a 2-1 win over Bolton, while Lincoln and Sutton pulled off shock victories in Tuesdays FA Cup third round replays. Palace manager Allardyce had gone five matches without a win since replacing the sacked Alan Pardew just before Christmas. He was in danger of an embarrassing Cup exit when the struggling Premier League team fell behind to James Henrys 48th minute goal at Selhurst Park. But Allardyce sent on Benteke and the switch paid immediate dividends as the former Liverpool striker headed Palaces 68th minute equaliser. Benteke completed Palaces revival with a fierce finish from Andros Townsends cross in the 77th minute to set up a home tie with Manchester City in the fourth round. Wins grow confidence. Theres no doubt about that. How much confidence we get from this will show on Saturday, Allardyce said. At Sincil Bank, National Conference leaders Lincoln sent second tier Ipswich crashing out with a surprise 1-0 win. In their first game since his death last week, Lincoln paid a memorable tribute to their former player and manager Graham Taylor. Danny Cowleys fifth tier side are into the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1975-76, when they were still managed by Taylor. Nathan Arnold got the winner from Adam Marriotts pass to book a fourth round tie at home to Championship high-fliers Brighton. A non-league team into the fourth round of the FA Cup? Its what dreams are made of and weve got to enjoy it, Arnold said. Sutton, currently 15th in the fifth tier, lived up to their reputation as FA Cup giant-killers with a shock 3-1 win at third tier AFC Wimbledon. Sutton famously stunned Coventry, then playing in the top-flight and just two years removed from winning the competition, in the third round in 1989. Beating Wimbledon cant quite equal that feat but winning at their south-west London neighbours was still an impressive achievement that booked a lucrative home fourth round tie against Championship promotion chasers Leeds. Tom Elliott put Wimbledon in front with a 10th minute header, but the hosts had defender Paul Robinson sent off five minutes later.