December 30 2006

Scott Flinders

Palace returned from Ninian Park with a point, eking out a 0-0 draw with Cardiff, reports Peter Gillman.

The Eagles were outplayed for much of the match but still had a couple of chances to snatch the win.

Cardiff, without a win in eight matches, had the better of a scrappy first half, played in a swirling wind. Scott Flinders made an outstanding save on 16 minutes, plunging to his left to push a downward header from Scimeca round the post.

Palace had their best chance of the half on 30 minutes when Mark Kennedy crossed low from the right and Jamie Scowcroft was inches away from turning in the ball at the near post.

Cardiff should have gone ahead on 61 minutes when Flood collected a pass from Thompson but shot wide with only Flinders to beat. Cardiff were surging forward now, winning every ball in midfield and carving out a series of openings.

On 67 minutes Jobi McAnuff missed a golden chance to take the lead against the run of play when he headed a Watson cross over the bar with the keeper stranded.

Two minutes later Clinton Morrison had the ball in the net but was flagged offside, bringing protests from Peter Taylor and Kit Symons as well as Morrison, who was booked. Replays seemed to show that a flick-on from Scowcroft had been deflected to Morrison off a Cardiff player.

Cardiff surged back and Flinders made a point-blank save from Flood. Two minutes Ledley fired over when well-placed on the left.

Palace managed to mount a couple of late attacks but otherwise successfully defended their point.

The result, despite bringing them five points from their last three games, leaves them in 18th place. They are seven points above Hull in the top relegation spot, and 12 points behind the last play-off place.

Palace: Flinders; Butterfield, Hudson, Ward, Lawrence; McAnuff, Watson (Reich 75), Fletcher, Kennedy; Scowcroft, Morrison (Kuqi 84).

Subs: Wilkinson, Freedman, Cort.

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