Last Thursday marked the 13th anniversary of the beginning of Gordon Strachan’s managerial odyssey, which started at Coventry and has ended up at Middlesbrough, but his latest challenge, Premier League promotion at the first attempt, could be one of his toughest yet.

Yesterday he suffered the second successive defeat of his brief reign and the further realisation that, notwithstanding Adam Johnson, his strikers are struggling to score.

While fellow relegated clubs Newcastle and West Brom occupy the top two positions, Middlesbrough have momentarily slipped behind the playoff pack, and Marcus Bent, Leroy Lita, Gary O’Neil and Jonathan Franks were all culpable of squandering chances here.

Thanks to the goalkeeper Julian Speroni, Palace took advantage of such wastefulness and Darren Ambrose’s 65th-minute winner secured their first victory in six matches.

Star man: Julian Speroni (Palace) Yellow cards: Palace: Butterfield Middlesbrough: Osbourne

Referee: J Linington Attendance: 15,321

PALACE: Speroni 8, Butterfield 7, Fonte 7, Davis 7, Hill 7, Ambrose 7, Ertl 6, Derry 6, Danns 7 (Carle 81min), Lee 7, Sears 8 (N’Diaye 88min)

MIDDLESBROUGH: Jones 7, Hoyte 6 (Arca 68min), Wheater 7, St. Ledger 7, Grounds 6, O’Neil 6, Williams 6, Osbourne 6, Johnson 6, Bent 6, Lita 5 (Franks 77min)

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football