March 29 2008

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace's play-off hopes were dealt a blow as they could only draw 0-0 at home to Blackpool.

Palace boss Neil Warnock gave on-loan Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair his debut and the 18-year-old was the Eagles' most creative threat.

He combined well with Ben Watson and CLINTON MORRISON, to set up Tom Soares whose attempted chip was saved by keeper Paul Rachubka.

Fellow on-loan debutant, Fulham full-back Nathan Ashton, had claims for a penalty turned down when he clashed with centre-half Ian Evatt in the box after 13 minutes.

Blackpool got back into proceedings and were denied a goal thanks to a good save from Julian Speroni who kept out Gary Taylor-Fletcher's strike after he burst clear.

Claus Jorgensen then hit the side-netting, Wes Hoolahan fired over and Steve McPhee saw his shot spilled by Speroni as Taylor-Fletcher slid in before the keeper recovered.

Sinclair was cautioned for diving in the area, and Jorgensen should have done better for the visitors when he blazed high and wide.

At half-time, Warnock replaced Ashton and James Scowcroft with another new loan signing, West Ham's Kyel Reid, and Jose Fonte.

Reid blasted over with one of his first touches, before Danny Butterfield - back from his injury lay-off - tried his luck with a shot over.

Blackpool were denied a penalty after Hoolahan fell in the penalty area and he later forced a fine save from Speroni in the last minute.

And right at the death, Eagles sub Ashley-Paul Robinson could have won it but he nodded Reid's cross into the arms of Rachubka.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, Hudson, Ashton (Reid 46), Soares (Robinson 74), Watson, Derry, Sinclair, Scowcroft (Fonte 46), MORRISON.

Not Used: Fletcher, Scannell.

Blackpool: Rachubka, Barker, Evatt, Gorkss, Crainey, Taylor-Fletcher (Dickov 81), Jorgensen, Flynn, Hoolahan, McPhee (Coid 90), Burgess (Holt 81).

Not Used: Morrell, Fox.