A penalty from Kevin Phillips in extra time sent Crystal Palace into the Premier League following a 1-0 win over Watford in the Championship playoff final at Wembley.
It was Watford that made the brighter start with Troy Deeney coming close with an effort in the opening two minutes, but Welsh defender Danny Gabbidon was across to make the block at the vital moment.
Watford midfielder Almen Abdi had a half-chance after 13 minutes when he burst into the Palace box, but Mile Jedinak was across to clear the danger.
Wilfried Zaha began to influence proceedings as the half advanced, with his pace and trickery causing all sorts of problems to the Watford defence, but Lloyd Doyley was on hand to quell the danger on more than one occasion.
Matej Vydra had Watford's best chance just past the 30-minute mark when he burst into the box, but Damien Delaney was across to make a fine challenge.
Nathaniel Chalobah tried his luck from distance in the early stages of the second period, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.
Abdi was next to come close with a powerful strike from just outside the box, but once more Delaney was on hand to produce a fine block at the vital moment.
Aaron Wilbraham had a half-chance for Palace moments later following good work from Zaha, but the goal-shy striker could not force the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Doyley embarked on a run of his own after 58 minutes before striking an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the target.
Wilbraham had the game's best chance moments later after bursting beyond the Watford defence, but his effort was blocked by Doyley, before Delaney headed wide of the target from a free kick.
Stuart O'Keefe had a fine chance for Palace moments later after good work from Zaha, but his powerful effort was blocked by Manuel Almunia, before Wilbraham was denied by the former Arsenal stopper from close range.
Gabbidon was next to come close from a set piece, but the Welsh defender could not force the ball into the back of the net from close range as Watford continued to wobble.
Owen Garvan had a half-chance on the counter for Palace after 72 minutes, but the midfielder could only fire his effort wide of the post. Garvan had another opportunity 10 minutes later, but Almunia was more than equal to the danger.
Wilbraham had another wonderful chance inside the final seven minutes after Zaha had found the striker, but once more Almunia was on hand to make the save.
Deeney had a rare chance for Watford in the final moment, but he could only thump his effort over the crossbar from close range, before Zaha fired wide as the match entered extra time.
Deeney had a fine chance to send Watford into the lead in the early stages of extra time, but Julian Speroni somehow quelled the danger at the feet of the striker.
Cristian Battocchio was next to come close for Watford as they dominated the opening 15 minutes, but the midfielder could only find the arms of Speroni from outside the box.
Palace were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, however, when Zaha was felled by Marco Cassetti in the box, with Phillips stepping up to send his effort into the top corner.
Phillips had another half-chance in the second period of extra time, but the experienced striker could not find a finish at the vital moment.
Watford continued to force the issue in the final moments, with Joel Ward forced to clear off the line, but they could not make the breakthrough as Ian Holloway led his side into the Premier League.
Matt Law
