Paul Merson accused referee David Pugh of failing to show enough leniency as Walsall sunk deeper into relegation trouble after Andy Johnson scored a controversial penalty winner for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Pugh pointed to the spot when Eagles substitute Tommy Black went down under a challenge from Paul Ritchie with five minutes left and Johnson stroked home the rebound when goalkeeper Jimmy Walker saved his initial spot-kick.

Walsall have now lost five straight games are teetering on the brink of relegation to Division Two.

Merson said: "The lads have worked hard and our system was working until a bad decision by the referee. In the context of the game it has to be a certain penalty or you don't give it.

"I've just been in to see him and he said it was obstruction. There's a new rule. Obstruction now with the ball means it's a penalty. He was running up a dark alley and he just fell over.

"They keep bringing all these new rules out - why don't they just have someone upstairs watching it on the telly? By the time everyone's argued about it they can see if it's a penalty or not. I've said this for ages now.

"But we'll live another day. I'm proud of my players because everything we asked of them they did. I couldn't see them breaking us down and they could be playing in the Premiership next season."

Eagles manager Iain Dowie admitted luck had played a part in Johnson's winner, but claimed his side should have had two other penalties.

Palace are now unbeaten in seven games and climbed to fifth with the win. They need only a draw from their final game of the season at Coventry to be assured of a play-off place.

That was unthinkable when Dowie took over with Palace at their lowest ebb in December, but he claimed his players are now proving the doubters wrong.

He said: "I would agree we were fortunate with the penalty but not with the two we didn't get. It was tense game and they were difficult to break down.

"The players have been magnificent. People questioned their commitment earlier this season and they've responded resoundingly. They've formed that self-motivation to move on.

"There was a quietly determined silence in the dressing room before the game. They are hungry. Reaching the play-offs would mean a huge amount to the supporters and the players."