Steffen Iversen scored on his debut to hand managerless Crystal Palace a crucial three points in their bottom of the table clash with Preston North End at Selhurst Park.

Iversen, a free-transfer capture from Norwegian outfit Rosenborg, only received international clearance to play three hours before kick-off.

Caretaker Eagles boss Dougie Freedman threw the former Spurs and Wolves man in from the start and was rewarded in the 58th minute when Iversen rose to nod home Kieron Cadogan’s looped cross following Owen Garvan’s free-kick into the box.

Preston nearly equalised moments later through Chris Brown only for his miscued header to fly wide of Julian Speroni’s post.

That was about as good as it got for Preston’s stand-in manager David Unsworth and his men, who failed to muster a shot on target in a miserable performance.

The story could have been different if, in the 50th minute, referee Keith Hill had penalised Paddy McCarthy for his tackle on Keith Treacy inside the area, the Palace captain clearly catching the opposing midfielder.

But no penalty was forthcoming and to add insult to injury, Hill then booked Treacy for diving.

Both teams had started the game nervously which was no surprise considering the stakes.

Defensive formations from both temporary managers also contributed to a first half that was instantly forgettable.

After the break both teams looked brighter, but it was Palace who settled first, Andrew Dorman showing the home side’s intent with a 46th effort that flew over.

The introduction of Cadogan on 54 minutes allowed Wilfried Zaha to join Iversen upfront and give Palace more of an attacking edge.

It paid dividends with the only goal of the game, but the Eagles should have got a second to put the match beyond reach, Cadogan himself fluffing his lines when put through one-on-one by Zaha in the 68th minute.

Preston piled forward in the last ten minutes but it was too little too late and Palace held on for the win.

Teams

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Gardner, Bennett, Danns, Garvan, O'Keefe (Cadogan 54), Dorman, Zaha (Wright 79), Iversen (Andrew 77). Subs not used: Price, Ambrose, Scannell, Marrow.

Booked: Andrew.

Goals: Iversen 58.

Preston Lonergan, Morgan, St. Ledger, Jones, McLaughlin, Nicholson, Treacy (Mayor 66), Barton, Hume (Douglas 71), Hayes (Coutts 65), Chris Brown. Subs not used: Arestidou, Davidson, Gray, Parry.

Booked: Treacy.

Att: 14,061

Ref: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire).