Report: Palace 1-1 'Pool

Blackpool maintained their unbeaten away league record this afternoon at Selhurst Park in an entertaining draw with Crystal Palace.

'Pool boss Ian Holloway made two changes from last weekend's draw with Brighton; Craig Cathcart replacing Chris Basham (with Alex Baptiste switching to right back) and Brett Ormerod replacing Matt Phillips.

The Seasiders started the game like a house on fire, with Palace keeper Julian Speroni keeping his side in the game (as predicted in my match preview!) with a string of fine saves early doors, including blocking a Kevin Phillips effort at point blank range.

Billy Clarke then raced clear of the Palace defence, only to be denied once again by the superb Speroni who made close to a half of dozen saves in the opening quarter hour.

Matt Gilks was finally called into action just before the half hour when he saved from Paddy McCarthy's header.

However Pool's pressure finally told just five minutes before the break when Alex Baptiste raced onto a Gary Taylor-Fletcher to slot home.

The second half was a somewhat quieter affair and with an hour on the clock Ollie chose to replace Billy Clarke with Ludovic Sylvestre.

Kevin Phillips then fired wide with only Speroni to beat before Ian Evatt had an effort cleared off the line.

Palace were still threatening to get back into the game at the other end though and Dean Moxey's freekick struck the bar via a deflection.

With 12 minutes left the Eagles did get their equaliser; Glenn Murray levelling the game for Dougie Freedman's side after beating Gilks at his near post.

Buoyed by the goal, Palace looked to snatch a late winner, but Gilks was on hand to deny both McCarthy and Murray before Speroni ensured that he'd snap up the man of the match of the award with another fine save, this time from Brett Ormerod.

The last chance of the game fell to Palace however; Glenn Murray found himself in the clear but could only fire wide.

FT: Palace 1-1 Blackpool

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