Promotion chasing Crystal Palace face an uphill challenge after they lost out to a stunning 90th minute Bristol City goal.
Goalkeeper Julian Speroni was forced to pick the ball out of his own net after 53 minutes when Robins captain Louis Carey curled into the top corner.
But in-form Palace, urged on by the majority of a 22,869 home crowd, came back in the 83rd minute when Carey turned villain fouling Jose Fonte in the box.
Ben Watson steadied his nerves before firing into the bottom left corner to send home fans into ruptures of relief.
But their hopes of a draw and a chance to go in level pegging to the second leg of the play-off semi final at City's Ashton Gate were dashed in the 90th minute.
Shortly after the fourth official showed a full five minutes of injury time to play, Bristol City's David Noble scored a fantastic strike from 25 yards to leave Palace deflated.
- For kick-by-kick from the Eagles second leg of their play-off match against Bristol City log on next Tuesday.
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