Carle prominent in Bristol City play-off win

Bristol City, with Qantas Socceroo Nick Carle prominent, took a giant step closer to securing a place in next season’s English Premier League, after a dramatic 2-1 win in the first leg of their semi final play-off against Crystal Palace.

Bristol City, with Qantas Socceroo Nick Carle prominent, took a giant step closer to securing a place in next season-s English Premier League, after a dramatic 2-1 win in the first leg of their semi final play-off against Crystal Palace.

Carle, laid on the final touches for both Bristol City goals, with the winner coming two minutes into injury time at Selhurst Park.

Bristol can now go back home to Ashton Gate, knowing a final play-off place is well within their grasp, with Palace needing to pull out something special if they are to return to the EPL. Bristol have never played in the Premier League.

The first goal came in the 53rd minute, when a well rehearsed free-kick move saw the ball played to Carle on the edge of the box and his first touch pass was curled into the far corner by City captain Louis Carey.

City were well on top and it looked as though they would take a 1-0 win back to Ashton Gate, but against the run of play, Palace got a penalty after a calamity of errors saw Carey clip Fonte in the box with just four minutes remaining. Ben Watson struck home the penalty and Palace fans celebrated wildly in the stands.

But their joy was to turn to despair five minutes later, when Carle showed great desperation to get his head to a clearance; the ball falling to David Noble, who unleashed a 30-yard thunderbolt that sailed into the top corner, much to the delight of his teammates, coaching staff and travelling City fans.

The return leg is on Tuesday night and they will meet the winner of the other semi final play-off between Hull City and Watford. The final is on May 24.