Crystal Palace - 0
Bolton Wanderers - 0

In a match that Bolton required the points to keep alive their faint hopes of a play-off position, and that Palace needed the same points to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone, neither side were able to make an impression where it really counts; with goals on the scoreboard.

Palace got away to a good start, with Mikael Forssell in particular making some good runs at the opposition, coupled with a number of great passes. It was Clinton Morrison though that got the first real shot on goal, his attempt rebounding from the post. Leon McKenzie was on hand to get to the ball in the ensuing scramble, but his shot went wide. Bolton gradually pulled themselves back into the game and Fraser Digby was called upon to make a great save from a header by Bob Taylor.

The next incident on goal came when Mikael noticed that Jussi Jaaskelainen was out of his area, and he immediately tried to lob the ball over the keeper's head. The defence eventually cleared the ball, much to the ire of the Palace supporters. As the first half drew towards an end it was Bolton that started to play the better football, with chances going to Dean Holdsworth and Paul Ritchie who both missed with headers that could really have spoilt our day.

Two good runs by Wayne Carlisle down the right hand side signalled the start of the second half. His crosses proved just too good for Clinton Morrison, who was unable to get on the end of either one. Only minutes into the half Mike Whitlow was sent off for a second bookable offence on Morrison, and Bolton were reduced to ten men.

Still Bolton kept coming though, and after Gudni Bergsson hit the post following a corner Holdsworth was crudely challenged by Digby in an attempt to clear the danger. The crowd held its' collective breath, but the referee signalled play-on, and thus passed a penalty that could have been the difference in the game.

Despite the fact that Bolton had played nearly all the half with only ten men on the pitch Palace seemed unable to make any real impression, then Bergsson, again tangling with the agile Morrison, also received a second yellow card, and thus reduced the visitors to nine men!

For the last few minutes Palace piled on the pressure, but they were unable to break down a stalwart defence.

This match makes four consecutive draws for Palace at Selhurst, and though the last two games have been against quality opposition we really must do better than only get one point from home matches, particularly when our away form leaves a little to be desired. With Steve Coppell calling on 50 points to be "safe" for the season the next few matches might well tell the story of Palace for this year.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Fraser Digby, Dean Austin, Andy Linighan, Fan Zhiyi, Ashley Cole, Wayne Carlisle, Hayden Mullins, Simon Rodger Sean Hankin 15), Leon McKenzie (Nick Rizzo 79), Clinton Morrison, Mikael Forssell.

Substitutes not used: David Woozley, Matthew Gregg, Andrew Martin.

Bolton Wanderers: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Gudni Bergsson, Robbie Elliott, Mark Fish, Mike Whitlow, Claus Jensen, Paul Ritchie, Michael Johansen (John O'Kane 60), Allan Johnston (Franck Passi 60), Robert Taylor (Kevin Nolan 86), Dean Holdsworth.

Substitutes not used: Bo Hansen, Steve Banks.

Attendance: 15,236

Referee: Mr M Warren (Walsall).