Stoke manager Tony Pulis rallied his players and claimed "It's in our hands" after the 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace took the battle for survival into the last day of the season.

The Potters, beaten by Dele Adebola's late strike, need at least a point at home to play-off-bound Reading on Sunday to make sure they cannot be overtaken by Albion, who remain in the bottom three despite their 4-0 win over Watford.

Pullis said: "It was a typical performance from us. We've worked and tried to create chances today.

"It's really disappointing but the lads are professionals so they'll weather this one out.

"The Reading game is going to be nerve-wracking and exciting and it will be very tense but it's in our hands and that's a good thing. We will play Reading to create chances and win the game."

Palace started well and Noel Whelan, Danny Butterfield and Dougie Freedman all forced visiting keeper Mark Crossley into excellent saves.

The Eagles were in control with some smart approach work but Stoke were happy to defend in numbers to keep the home side's goalmouth action to a minimum.

Even so, the Potters had the best chance of the first half when Andy Cooke beat Alex Kolinko to the ball and lobbed towards the empty net. But Shaun Derry rescued the home side with a brilliant hooked clearance off the underside of the crossbar.

After the break, Palace increased the tempo but still struggled to find the breakthrough. The frustration set in and chances were wasted as Adebola fired wide, Ben Watson volleyed over from 12 yards and Freedman's shot from close range was deflected off his own player wide of the post.

But just as it seemed Stoke had weathered the storm, a rare lapse of concentration by the visitors let Palace in and wrecked their plans to gain the vital point which was needed for safety.

Tommy Black was fouled on the edge of the box and, as the Stoke defenders lined up, the same player cleverly slipped the ball to Freedman.

The Scot was totally unmarked in the penalty box and his low cross into the goalmouth was met by Adebola who sidefooted into the empty net.