SATURDAY'S result was never going to be the 'key factor' when it comes to deciding Crystal Palace's fate this season, according to boss Dougie Freedman.

But how his side respond to that 2-1 loss almost certainly will.

A 13-match unbeaten run at Selhurst Park came to an end against the Iron, with the Eagles left just three points above the drop zone ahead of another crunch clash, away at a side who are not safe themselves, Doncaster Rovers, on Friday.

It is one of four games remaining for the South London outfit, with little margin for error now.

"Since I took over we've given ourselves a right good chance to survive and surviving is the main key," said Freedman, who has been in charge since January.

"Beating Scunthorpe at home isn't the main key factor in this season.

"The key factor is staying up and it's still in our hands.

"But we've got to play better than that and with more composure than we did on Saturday.

"We've got to look to attack with more purpose than in the first half. That is what I felt let us down.

"At the end of the day, Scunthorpe were two or three yards sharper than our lads physically.

"They were getting on to balls and were composed enough to play in certain areas of the pitch.

"The first half wasn't good enough, but we rallied in the second half.

"Normally we would get a point, or three points, at home – on Saturday we didn't.

"Unfortunately it was against Scunthorpe who are closest to us in the league.

"We will take our medicine and move on.

"How we respond to it is the big question I've got to ask myself and the players.

"The key thing is we freshen up and we get all round better than we did on Saturday."