Crystal Palace underlined their play-off place with a victory over Stoke at a freezing Britannia Stadium that moves them six points clear of the Coca-Cola Championship's seventh-placed side Preston.

They took the lead when Mamady Sidibe toe-poked the ball into his own goal as a result of a dangerous Emmerson Boyce cross with a third of the game gone.

And although Josip Skoko levelled for the hosts just after the break, Jobi McAnuff, who had been in close attendance for the opener, restored the advantage with a deflected strike and Andrew Johnson wrapped up victory with his 14th goal of the season.

The Eagles move within 12 points of Sheffield United in second and still have a game in hand on the Blades, as their season looks set to end in sharp contrast to Stoke's.

The Potters have won once in 13 matches and this game attracted a crowd of just 10,121 - their lowest league attendance of the campaign - for their ninth home defeat.

The hosts created the first chance when Marlon Broomes crossed but Sidibe's disappointing header was gathered at the second attempt by goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.

Although McAnuff rifled wide at the other end, it was the Potters that enjoyed the better of the early spoils.

Palace gradually steadied themselves but Michael Duberry passed up another chance, firing over after Clint Hill knocked down Skoko's corner.

In the 17th minute, the unlikely Broomes was again at the centre of a City attack, forcing a save at full stretch by Kiraly from 30 yards.

Just a minute later, City goalkeeper Steve Simonsen was called into action for the first time, holding a low McAnuff effort.

But the Eagles got their noses in front in the 30th minute with Boyce's cross ending up in the back of the net as Sidibe and McAnuff slid in towards the far post.

The opening goal clearly boosted Palace's confidence, and they looked comfortable apart from a Paul Gallagher free-kick that was only parried by Kiraly.

After a quiet opening period, there were two goals in the first couple of minutes of the second half.

Broomes' throw was flicked on by Sidibe into the area and Australia international Skoko lifted the ball over Kiraly to register for the first time since joining on loan from Wigan.

But just a minute later, Michael Hughes broke into the area at the other end and the ball fell kindly for McAnuff, whose shot defected off Hill.

Simonsen adjusted his dive but only to get a hand to the ball before it crossed the line for the winger's seventh goal of the season.

Then, in the 54th minute, Kiraly pulled off an impressive double save, saving with his legs as Sammy Bangoura stabbed a Dave Brammer cross goalwards, before the goalkeeper held Darel Russell's follow-up.

But in the 58th minute, Johnson looked to have made the game safe, racing past Hill onto a McAnuff hook forward and squeezing the ball inside the near post.

Palace played with authority after that and City toiled to little effect aside from a fierce Skoko free-kick that Kiraly pushed over the bar.

Hughes should have added a fourth in stoppage time but the veteran midfielder hit the bar from close range from Johnson's low cross.

Teams

Stoke Simonsen, Hoefkens (Buxton 25), Duberry, Hill, Broomes,Russell, Brammer, Skoko, Gallagher (Sigurdsson 72), Bangoura,Sidibe.

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Mbuyi, Kopteff.

Booked: Broomes.

Goals: Skoko 47.

Crystal Palace Kiraly, Boyce, Fitz Hall, Ward, Borrowdale,Riihilahti, Hughes, Watson (Leigertwood 84),McAnuff (Soares 87), Morrison, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Speroni, Freedman, Reich.

Goals: Sidibe 30 og, McAnuff 48, Johnson 58.

Att: 10,121

Ref: A Leake (Lancashire).