Snapshot: Another draw for Cardiff City was enough to send them out of the top six on Saturday, as every one of our Championship peers took the initiative to collect wins and send us into eighth place.

The match against Crystal Palace was despite any goals, in fairness an entertaining encounter; although better suited to neutral football fans rather than those connected to either Bluebirds or Eagles. Cardiff looked the more dominant force as they had at Selhurst Park. Missing however was the clinical finishing and taken opportunities that had seen us climb so high at earlier stages.

Bright lights for the Bluebirds could be found in Kevin McNaughton, Kerrea Gilbert and Willo Flood - McNaughton a late casualty as he had to leave the field after pulling up from a run. The build up play was on occasions great to watch, but every time ending with 'what could have been' rather than applying the killer touch.

Palace had chances themselves, in the main through former Bluebird Jobi McAnuff. They even did what Cardiff couldn't by hitting the back of the net, but their celebrations were cut short by a linesman's flag for offside.

The match ended as a frustrating result as City were unable to force a first double over the travelling Eagles. While the performance was encouraging it was another case of lost ground as others around us took full advantage.

Team News: Three changes were made from a City perspective, as Paul Parry, Alan Wright and Roger Johnson stepped aside from the starting eleven that had earned a point against Plymouth on Boxing Day. Into the fold returned Glenn Loovens, Kerrea Gilbert and Willo Flood. Parry was out of contention due to a minor injury, while Glenn returned to rekindle his central defensive partnership with skipper Darren Purse.

Peter Taylor made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Southampton with Ben Watson, Matt Lawrence and James Scowcroft coming in for Tom Soares, Danny Granville and Shefki Kuqi. There was also a return on the substitutes bench for Leon Cort after five weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Chronological Report: City started the game brightly, playing at a high tempo with some nice touches to entertain the home support at the early stages. Thompson managed to twits and shoot an effort on goal that went just wide, while Chopra almost hit the back of the net with a lovely looping ball over Flinders after being set through by McPhail. Unfortunately the flag had been raised to call Chopra offside, while the ball rebounded off the crossbar to end the danger for the Eagles.

Chances then followed for Palace through the industry of Jobi McAnuff runs - the first on nine minutes as he tricked his way into the area and crossed the ball for Watson. The ball had looked to have gone out ahead of the cross, but play continued only to end as Watson's connection at the back stick was sent wide under pressure.

McANuff was then out to force some solo Eagles pressure as he broke free, only for the last ditch saving tackle from Darren Purse to prevent what would have been a massive chance for the former Bluebird with only Alexander to beat.

The game inside the opening twenty minutes could certainly be described as an end to end battle best suited to the neutral for entertainment value. It was clear from a home perspective that we were looking a lot more assured than we had in recent home games.

Possession as the half continued became more for City as numerous chances were created through midfield, with Thompson chipping in as the Bluebirds looked for the opener. His break after fifteen minutes looked to provide Willo Flood with a goal after a good cross from the left - Flood's effort coming off the turf and into the safety of Flinders' gloves.

City then went on to win a succession of dangerously placed free-kicks from the runs of Joe Ledley and McNaughton. The closest came as one led to a throw in that Willo Flood then crossed a ball in just too high for the rising Thompson. While none of the free-kick deliveries overly troubled the Eagles 'keeper, the positives could certainly be taken in that our attacking play was certainly looking a lot stronger.

Crystal Palace were restricted in their creativity; the team looking the most likely to break through via McAnuff and one time City target Mark Kennedy. The half closed without any opportunities for either fans to take celebration shots with their posh new digital cameras bought for Christmas. The only downside was a late Thomo booking for what appeared to be words with the referee. What would the second half bring?

HALF TIME: CARDIFF 0 - 0 CRYSTAL PALACE

The second half again began at a high tempo, with the opening five minutes well contested without any real goalmouth chances. The highlight of the opening five minutes was an unusual breaking run from Glenn Loovens that saw the Dutchman beat everyone before a deep cross that put the Eagles 'keeper in as much pressure as he had seen to that point.

The initiative remained with Cardiff in the opening exchanges as shots over the bar came from both Thompson and Scimca after some good build up play - the only thing missing was the goal as the City supporters aimed to raise the atmosphere.

The referee didn't win any new fans from South Wales after booking Kerrea Gilbert just ahead of the hour - Kerrea only passing the ball back for an Eagles free-kick that referee Jones saw as kicking the ball away.

The best chance of the game came our way, as another well built City move culminated in Thompson flicking the ball to the path of Willo Flood on the right. Flood then made space before attempting to sidefoot the ball to the left of the diving Flinders on a tight angle. It was all so close, but the ball flew wide of the post, much to our exasperation and the Eagles delight.

While Palace were truing to break forward themselves, their opportunities were limited - City all the while aiming to counter when the Eagles moves broke down.

The Eagles did well to weather the Cardiff storm, and had chances themselves through McAnuff with around twenty minutes left. He was unlucky not to give Palace an unlikely lead with a looping header that had beaten Alexander, only to narrowly float over the bar.

A minute later the Eagles fans were temporarily on cloud nine as the ball nestled in the back of the Bluebirds net. Their joy was to be very short lived thanks to the flag of the Bob Bank linesman after Loovens' header back was picked up by Clinton Morrison who had failed to return from his offside position. Palace were clearly angered by the tight decision; enough for Morrison to be booked for cross words directed at the assistant.

Our guests chances were followed by a few good opportunities for Cardiff. Flood was the first with a well hit shot that cannoned off the turf and into the hands of Flinders. Scimeca was then set up for a central shot, but he was leaning back on connection - the ball always going to fly over the bar.

Dave Jones was forced to make a change with fifteen minutes on the clock, as Kevin McNaughton pulled up from a defensive run. In his place came Kevin Cooper who slotted into midfield, while Joe Ledley moved into his part time defensive position on the left.

Last minute changes were made as Thompson and Flood were replaced by Kevin Campbell and Darcy Blake, while for Palace Morrison was taken off for Kuqi. Both teams then tried to grab a late winner to claim three points, but to no avail.

FULL TIME: CARDIFF 0 - 0 CRYSTAL PALACE

Cardiff: Alexander, Gilbert, McNaughton (Cooper 77), Purse, Loovens, McPhail, Flood (Blake 90), Ledley, Scimeca, Thompson (Campbell 90), Chopra. Subs Not Used: Johnson, Wright. Booked: McNaughton, Thompson, Gilbert

Crystal Palace: Flinders, Lawrence, Ward, Hudson, Butterfield, McAnuff, Watson (Reich 75), Kennedy, Fletcher, Scowcroft, Morrison (Kuqi 84). Subs Not Used: Wilkinson, Freedman, Cort. Booked: Morrison

Fans man of the match: Willo Flood as voted by David Rees of Fairwater