JUSTIN TIME

Devenny to the rescue against flying Finns as boss Glasner now faces play-off lottery

- BY NEIL MCLEMAN

OLIVER GLASNER gambled and drew last night after sending out a team with 11 changes including three teenagers and missed out on reaching the UEFA Conference League last 16.

The Eagles boss picked a reserve side because of a mad fixture schedule which sees them visit Leeds in the Premier League tomorrow night.

But the FA Cup holders could only draw with 10-man Finnish champions KuPS and finished 10th in the 36-team table.

Only the top eight go through automatically to the last 16 in March.

Not even sending on the cavalry of five regular starters could force the win after Christantus Uche scored early and Justin Devenny equalised after two shock Finnish goals in three minutes.

So a first European season which started with Palace's controversial demotion to the Conference League will continue with a two-legged play-off in February.

The 1-0 home defeat to Cypriot side Larnaca just before Halloween has come back to haunt them.