Paul McShane wrote himself into Albion folklore and declared: "That was definitely my goal."

The young Irish defender was ribbed by team-mates that the Selhurst Park clincher last night had gone in off an opponent.

But McShane, outstanding throughout a pulsating derby, said: "Yes, it was my goal.

"Seb (Carole) took the corner and I met the ball. I got a touch on it and then I fell on the ground and I don't know what happened next. I will have to see it on the telly. Even before the game I was feeling confident. There's a good atmosphere about the lads and I thought we were going to go out and win.

"We needed the three points to get off the bottom but I was confident we would get them."

McShane's luck held later on when Palace had a goal ruled out after his clearance had been charged down. The Albion match winner revealed: "I thought it was a goal. I felt like crying when I saw the linesman with his flag up because it was such a relief."

Goalkeeper Wayne Henderson, in his first Albion derby, added: "This is the atmosphere we want to play games in.

"Some people might look at the scoreline and think this was a smash and grab but I thought we played very well throughout the whole game."