Julian Speroni pulled off a moment of heroism at Brighton on Monday night but, as usual, refused to take the credit for Crystal Palace's success.

The Eagles' goalkeeper, who turns 34 on Saturday, pulled off a stunning save to deny Brighton's Ashley Barnes when the scores were goalless in the play-off semi-final - having pulled off a similar superb stop in the first leg on Friday to keep out Dean Hammond's header.

The save, followed less than a minute later by Dean Moxey's goalline clearance that kept out Barnes' header, proved to be a huge turning point as Palace dominated after that, with Wilfried Zaha putting them on the way to a 2-0 victory with the opener five minutes later.

It was the sort of stop Palace fans have come to expect from Speroni during his nine years in south London and was followed by the modesty they have become used to as well.

"I think it was all about the team, we all did a little bit, everybody contributed to achieve this and it was a big team effort," he said when asked about his save.

"We knew we had to focus on what we had to do, it didn't matter what anybody said about us being the underdogs.

"We didn't care about that, we just played our game and it worked.
"It's hard to explain the feelings now, we've been through a lot this season and to get to this point is incredible.

"It is right up there, one of the best moments at the club for me for what it means for everyone involved."

The victory set up a Wembley showdown with Watford on May 27 for a place in the Premier League, and Speroni, who has never been to Wembley, warned Palace not to celebrate too much just yet.

"It is a great achievement to get there but we haven't done anything yet," he said.

"We need to stay calm, enjoy the result and then get ready because it is a long wait for the final.

"I have never played at Wembley, I have not even been to watch a game.
"I thought the first time I go there I want to play. It is a good opportunity now and I am really looking forward to it."