Paul Hart was just like the Palace fans who had watched the game either at the ground or on television, he was drained but relieved that he had seen his fourteen game run end with the club still in the Championship.

"It's been a very emotional day. Great relief on our part, but there's sadness on their part because Alan Irvine's a friend and I played here as well and I've been relegated and it's not very nice.

"I often listen to people say they were left emotionally drained and I know what they mean now."

Since taking over the management seat at Palace his target has been to ensure the club steer clear of relegation before the summer sees a possible new ownership.

 "We're hoping the new ownership gets completed and now they can build from a sounder base of Championship football, which I think is important.

"It's such a great club that I would fully expect, with the correct business practices put in place that the right visionary people, if handled properly, could make great progress.

"I've said all along, let's get the takeover done then the new owners can make a decision on who becomes the new manager.  It would be absolutely no hardship whatsoever to work at this football club, it's been a fantastic experience, but they should be allowed to make their own appointments."

The season comes to an end after a campaign which has seen him at three different clubs.

"I had a great time at Portsmouth and thoroughly enjoyed it and thoroughly enjoyed my time working here with these players at Palace, so two out of three ain't bad."

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