Pierre Sage was handed a much-needed lifeline as Crystal Palace snatched a dramatic late 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim in the Europa League, despite playing the final stages with 10 men following Adam Wharton's dismissal.
Palace arrived at Selhurst Park desperate for a response after three consecutive Premier League defeats had left them in the relegation zone, with growing questions over Sage's future as manager.
But their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed once again as Alexander Prass opened the scoring for Hoffenheim in the seventh minute, his effort squirming underneath Dean Henderson after the hosts were caught on the counter.
Sage's side showed some attacking promise but struggled to turn possession into clear-cut opportunities, while Hoffenheim looked dangerous whenever they broke forward.
Henderson was forced into an excellent save to deny Andrej Kramaric from close range, while Palace's evening took another turn for the worse when Wharton was shown a second yellow card in the 77th minute for catching Wouter Burger with his arm in an aerial challenge.
But just when it looked as though another damaging defeat was inevitable, Daichi Kamada rescued a point in stoppage time. Yeremy Pino delivered a cross into the area, Tyrick Mitchell nodded the ball down and Kamada finished through the goalkeeper's legs to spark relief around Selhurst Park and give Sage a precious moment of respite.
The draw leaves Palace with plenty to address, particularly defensively, but the manner of their late equaliser could prove significant for a manager whose position has come under increasing scrutiny. Sage will breathe easier, although this was hardly a performance to silence his critics ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting with Liverpool, live on Your Site.
7: GOAL! Prass puts Hoffenheim ahead as Henderson lets his effort slip underneath him.
24: SAVE! Henderson produces a brilliant stop to deny Kramaric from close range.
67: CHANCE! Pino goes one on one but Oliver Baumann comes out on top.
77: RED CARD! Wharton is sent off after picking up a second yellow card.
90+1: GOAL! Kamada strikes late to rescue a point for 10-man Palace!
Pierre Sage refused to explain why Axel Disasi was left out of Crystal Palace's matchday squad for the Europa League draw with Hoffenheim, insisting the decision was an internal matter before delivering a pointed response when challenged over whether it risked making him look like he was losing control.
The defender, on loan from Chelsea, was a surprise omission having previously played every minute of Palace's Europa League campaign this season and started their last two Premier League matches.
Disasi's absence raised eyebrows before kick-off, particularly after Palace initially named him in their starting XI on social media before correcting the teamsheet to show Honest Ahanor in his place.
Asked after the game why Disasi had been left out, Sage told reporters: "It's an internal decision. I don't want to comment."
The Palace manager was pressed on whether the situation was comparable to previous squad omissions involving other players, but remained unwilling to elaborate.
"It's nice to try to ask the same question, but I said I don't want to comment. Sorry for that because, you know, I always reply, but I don't want to comment on this thing," he said.
When it was put to Sage that leaving an important defender out of such a significant game without offering an explanation could give the impression he was "losing control", he replied: "That's your analysis."
