PRESTON'S chances of making the play-offs were dealt a blow as they fell to a double blast from Crystal Palace.

Goals by David Hopkin and Ade Akinbiyi secured a 2-0 victory over PNE at Selhurst Park.

Speaking on the club's official web site Kelham O'Hanlon said after Saturday's defeat: "I'm bitterly disappointed and the boys are in the dressing room as you can imagine, but at this level if you don't take your chances, sometimes you get punished and we got punished in the second half.

"We had ample opportunities to I think win the game today, but if you don't score you can't win football matches."

That was backed up by the first half stats where North End had 14 efforts on goal to Palace's three, none of which were on target.

"I can't fault the lads this afternoon," added the gaffer.

"They gave me everything they've got which they do every game, which we expect and demand.

"They have been magnificent, but we just lacked that finishing touch today.

"We obviously needed to score but we just didn't have enough there."