Neil Warnock tipped the Championship play-off race to go to the wire after Crystal Palace cemented their top six spot and sent Scunthorpe down.First-half goals from Tom Soares and Clinton Morrison extended the Eagles' unbeaten run to nine matches.

Warnock said: "We all know it's going to go right down to the wire. We badly needed the three points and I would have settled for winning 1-0 and playing poorly.

"As it turned out, we played very well and could have scored more goals. But we never make it easy for ourselves.

"The play-offs are still wide open, but it was great to get the three points in the bag because we are going to be underdogs in our next two matches at Watford and Hull.

"They are going to be tough matches, but it's great for our young lads because they are playing without fear."

Soares slotted Palace ahead from close range in the 21st minute after Victor Moses jinked his way into the box and put in a low cross which Morrison somehow failed to convert.

Morrison made amends six minutes before half-time when he headed in from close range following more good work from Moses, who caused the Scunthorpe defence all sorts of problems before he went off with an injury in the 62nd minute.

Warnock said: "He tweaked his ankle so he's a doubt for next week, but we're hoping it won't be too serious and he will still be able to play an important part in the run-in.

"Having all these youngsters in the squad is like having a team full of new players, they are so enthusiastic and eager to impress.

"I'd like to have played John Bostock because he's knocking on the door and he's so much bigger and stronger than he was when he played earlier in the season."

Warnock also revealed goalkeeper Julian Speroni has agreed a new three-year contract with the club.

He said: "He hasn't signed it yet but we shook hands on it after the game.

"He's done really well for me and the club have done well by him. I don't know if he's the best in the Championship, but I wouldn't swap him for anybody in our division.

"He's been part of an excellent back five this season."

Defeat saw Scunthorpe relegated just 12 months after they were promoted as League One champions.

Nigel Adkins said: "We have to keep going. We've three games left and I want to win all of them. I don't want to finish bottom of the table.

"We still have a game plan in place and that involves us trying to win as many games as possible.

"I'm very proud of the way my players have competed in the Championship this season. I think there have only been two games when we didn't compete.

"Maybe as individuals some of my players are not good enough to play in the Championship. We'll find out when we see if anybody else comes in for them in the summer.

"But nearly all of them are under contract and we'll look to improve."

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