A last-gasp goal from Finnish international Aki Riihilahti gave Palace a win over Barnsley

He rose like a salmon to head home a cross from substitute Tommy Black in the 90th minute to send the Palace fans into raptures when it looked like heading for a bore draw.

Steve Bruce paid tribute to Black saying; “It's fair to say I was unhappy with Tommy when I first came here.

“I think he let himself during the summer, and he was overweight. But he got his reward for getting fit and winning his place back in the squad.

“He's worked hard since the start of the season and he provided us with that spark we were lacking after he came on.”

Bruce also praised Steve Vickers, who is on a one-month loan from Middlesbrough. He said: “Steve had an outstanding debut for us and gave us the experience we have been lacking. It's now my job to persuade him to move here permanently.

“A fee has been agreed, but Steve has spent all his life in the north where his family is settled. It's difficult to move in those circumstances. But I'm prepared to compromise in a bid to get him here on a regular basis.

“I'm delighted with the win and happy to have two cleansheets in two games.”

Match-winner Riihilahti said: “We are defending much better as a team now. It's nice not to have to come back from two or three goals down.”

Bruce was at his former club Sheffield United in the league last night (Tuesday) as we went to press, while the Eagles entertain the other Sheffield side, Wednesday, on Saturday.