GOALSCORER Steve Claridge turned somersaults on the Wembley pitch to celebrate a topsy turvy win which relaunched Leieester into the Premiership at the end of a dramatic first division play off final.
Leicester boss Martin O'Neill had already accepted that penalties would be required to divide the teams.
With seconds of extra time remaining he replaced Kevin Poole with 6ft 7in Zeljko Kalac so the Australian goalkeeper could use his extra inches in the shootout.
But the newcomer had not even touched the ball when Claridge pounced to wreck Palace's promotion bid.
The 30 year old, a £1 million buy from Birmingham in February, found himself all alone for vital seconds as Julian Watts headed across goal.
Claridge, with socks rolled down, lifted his right leg for one last despairing effort - and cracked a crisp volley past the unmoving Nigel Martyn.
There was barely time to kick off before Lancaster referee David Allison ended proceedings with Leicester winners of their fourth play off final in five years.
It was tough on Palace, who had to play for most of extra time with substitute Simon Rodger a limping passenger after a late challenge which earned Muzzy Izzett a booking.
Palace had taken charge after 13 minutes with a goal from the unlikeliest of sources. Andy Roberts moved forward from sweeper to find David Hopkin who swept the ball on to Ray Houghton.
The Republic of Ireland international returned it to the charging Roberts, who shot through the legs of Steve Walsh and past Poole.
It was his first goal since a £2.5 million summer move from Millwall and only the ninth of his career.
Palace had a slight edge in the first half and might have sealed victory four minutes after the restart when George Ndah sidestepped Walsh and shot for the top right hand corner only to see Poole flick his effort over the top.
Claridge's strike snatched the Premiership prize from Dave Bassett, who arrived at Wembley with a superb record of 14 wins and four draws in 22 matches since taking over as Palace manager in February.
But it was a fitting reward for O'Neill, who stayed calm and steered Leicester into a play off position only a couple of months after Filbert Street fans demanded his resignation.
