Crystal Palace 1 v 1 Reading

Coca-Cola Championship

For pictures, click on Crystal Palace pictures

CRYSTAL Palace have a saintly opportunity to close the gap on Watford and consolidate their play off position.

Following the draw with runaway leaders Reading making it seven games unbeaten for Iain Dowie's men Palace can move to within a point of fourth spot in the Championship tonight if they beat Southampton at St Mary's.

Then, at the weekend, they face another important clash at Preston North End.

Billy Davies' side are just one point beneath the Eagles.

Against the Saints, Palace will be boosted by the likely return from hamstring injuries of Tony Popovic and Aki Riihilahti.

Mikele Leigertwood has also recovered from the thigh strain he sustained in training but Marco Reich will again miss out with his ongoing foot complaint.

Similarly, Danny Granville and Danny Butterfield are still sidelined with knee and pelvis injuries respectively.

After the Reading match, which saw Andy Johnson's 78th minute penalty cancelled out by a James Harper drive, Dowie said: "The result makes it 16 points from 18 and it's a pleasing run.

"But our winning streak has been broken so we need to go on another one.

"We've played a top team tonight and more than matched them."

He added: "Man of the match for them was probably the keeper.

"I thought we were the better side and I'm a little disappointed not to get three points."