The points have been shared at Selhurst Park in the final game of the season against Sheffield United.

The Blades travelled down to south east London on a day where three points and a little bit of luck could have earned them automatic promotion to the Premier League, while their 7,000 travelling support helped to make it a party atmosphere ahead of the match.

Unfortunately the good feelings failed to transpose themselves onto the pitch as the football on display far from lived up to expectations.  

It was in the 11th minute that the first chance was created as the Blades almost took advantage of an excellent counter attacking move started by their keeper, Paddy Kenny.

The United shot stopper collected comfortably from a corner and threw it out immediately to David Cotterill on the right wing, who ran it down the right flank before looking up and picking out Darius Henderson - who had made a run into the Palace box - with a measured pass to the back post.

The ball was almost perfect, but the wind appeared to pick it up and take it just away from Henderson as he threw himself at it.

Kyle Naughton had a 35 yard strike seen harmlessly wide by Speroni before Palace created their first chance on 20 minutes, when Neil Danns was not closed down on the edge of the box and struck a screwed volley just wide.

As news circulated of Birmingham City's opener at the Madejski, which quickly dampened the noise of the travelling support, United had their best chance of the half. A corner was launched deep into the Palace box for Chris Morgan, who managed to climb highest and head the ball through the crowded box and force Speroni into an excellent reaction save.

Cotterill had a chance late on when he finished off a jinking run with a good hit across Speroni, but it flew wide.

The second half though proved to be a vastly different affair with Palace the side who should have taken taken all three points, with a series of excellent chances throughout the half.

The first was three minutes into the second period when Shefki Kuqi managed to jump higher than his marker and flick the ball on for Victor Moses.

The Palace forward ran through on goal but, under pressure from Kyle Walker, shot tamely at Kenny.

But it was Danns who came closest for Palace with two guilt-edged chances. On 58 he was fed through into the box by a neat little pass from Carle and, with only the keeper to beat, Danns pulled his shot wide.

Two minutes later he found the ball at his feet again inside the box but his shot was saved comfortably by Kenny.

The show was stolen however by man of the match, Julian Speroni as he made a series of excellent saves to deny Kevin Blackwell's side.

Just after the hour mark the ball was played into the box and Jamie Ward did very well to chest it down to take it past his markers and, six yards, out got his shot away. But the Palace shot stopper was quickly off of his line to close down the angle and saved brilliantly with his legs.

And then he showed again why he is probably the best keeper outside of the Premiership when he acrobatically managed to tip a Darius Henderson looping header over the bar.

As news kept on filtering through from the Madjeski, United made changes to their front line with Craig Beattie returning to Selhurst Park for the first time since his loan spell.

But despite the fresh attacking options to the United front line, Palace continued to defend resolutely and kept the away side's chances to a premium.

On 73 substitute Arturo Lupoli aimed a snap shot at Speroni, while Chris Morgan came closest with a header that hit the outside of the left hand post in the 92nd.

The referee blew up soon after to confirm Sheffield United's place in the Play Offs and a 15th place for Palace.

So that is it. The 08/09 season is now over. Have a great summer and we will see you back here in August!

Attendance: 22,824

Crystal Palace: 1. Julian Speroni; 2. Matt Lawrence; 3. Clint Hill ©; 5. Paddy McCarthy; 6. Jose Fonte; 10. Nick Carle; 11. Victor Moses (28. Rui Fonte, 55); 16. Neil Danns (8. James Scowcroft, 90); 22. Johnny Ertl; 32. Shefki Kuqi; 33. Anthony Stokes (15. Lee Hills, 71)

SUBS :; 43. Nathaniel Clyne; 44.Kieron Cadogan

Sheffield United: 1. Paddy Kenny; 2. Greg Halford; 4. David Cotterill; 5. Chris Morgan ©; 6. Matt Kilgallon; 7. Darius Anderson (19. Craig Beattie, 72); 17. Nick Montgomery; 18. Jamie Ward (9. Arturo Lupoli, 72); 28. Stephen Quinn (10. Danny Webber, 89); 30. Kyle Naughton; 34. Kyle Walker

SUBS:  11. Lee Hendrie; 21. John O'Toole