Billy Davies admitted his Derby side had buckled under the pressure after their 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace today cost them a chance of automatic promotion to the Premiership.

Palace's victory, achieved thanks to goals in either half from Clinton Morrison and Mark Kennedy, means Coca-Cola Championship leaders Birmingham and second-placed Sunderland cannot be caught, and Derby must settle for a place in the play-offs.

The Rams must approach the end-of-season competition without young forward Giles Barnes, who sustained a medial knee ligament injury which forced him to return to the dressing room on crutches.

"It was all about handling the occasion, and we did not get a grip of the pressure we had to face," said Davies.

"Palace came out with nothing to play for. It was a Sunday stroll for them: no pressure, no problem.

"Giles Barnes picked up a knee ligament injury, and I very much doubt that we will see him in the play-offs.

"But now I can rest players in the final league game, and there is time to patch up one or two more before we go into the play-offs".

The play-offs hold bitter memories for Davies, who lost in the 2005 final and in the semi-finals last season while manager of Preston.

But the Scot insists he is relishing the chance of a third crack at the contest, which takes place next month.

Davies continued: "I am disappointed with today's result, but very proud of where we have come from.

"Automatic promotion was one step too far, but I am proud as a manager to have reached the play-offs three seasons in a row, with two different clubs.

"We have done a magnificent job in getting to the play-offs, and to have still been in with a chance of automatic promotion with two games remaining.

"Winning the play-offs is about turning up on the day, and getting your players to play to their potential.

"We also hope to have all four of Stephen Bywater, Michael Johnson, Darren Moore and Stephen Pearson for the play-offs".

Palace manager Peter Taylor backed Derby to join Birmingham and Sunderland in the top flight, despite their poor display at Selhurst Park today.

Taylor's men could have scored more goals, with Morrison and Jobi McAnuff both guilty of wasting chances, but the former England Under-21 boss has faith in Davies' side.

He said: "There was a lot of pressure on Derby today, because they knew they had to win the game.

"Some of their play was excellent, though. They are a very good team and play a really good system.

"They will possibly be the favourites to go up through the play-offs".

Taylor's side have been out of the promotion race for some time, and he added: "We are as good as Derby, but we are not as consistently good as they have been".