​Crystal Palace 0 Bristol City 0

Given the series of controversies which have generated bad blood between these two sides in recent seasons, City manager Gary Johnson contended Palace were ideal opponents in the wake of Saturday’s shocking 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Doncaster Rovers. Certainly City, who adopted a more compact 4-3-3 formation, appeared committed, snapping into tackles and pressuring their opponents all over the pitch in an opening quarter more notable for huff and puff rather than any startling quality.

Nevertheless, there was no shortage of incident, Bradley Orr testing Julian Speroni with a half volley which the keeper gathered at the second attempt and Palace claiming a penalty, albeit in vain, when Johhny Ertl’s fiercely-struck shot appeared to cannon off Louis Carey’s raised hand.

Without an away goal since Nicky Maynard netted against QPR at Loftus Road on Boxing Day, City established a foothold in midfield, shaded the contest in terms of possession and territory but, as so often this season, seldom threatened a goal.

Big Chris Iwelumo proved an attacking fulcrum for the visitors, winning a majority of the headers he contested, holding the ball up to good effect and bringing team-mates into the game. But when Lee Johnson presented him with an opportunity to shoot, the loan signing swept the midfielder’s enticing cross high over the bar and into the grandstand.

Restored to the starting line-up, Scottish international Paul Hartley was pulling the strings in the middle of the park and one glorious through ball set Liam Fontaine scampering clear on the left, only for the full-back to over-hit his cross when a more accurate effort might have opened the door for Iwelumo at the far post.

Palace were little better in the final third, Calvin Andrew and Ertl shooting weakly at Dean Gerken when power was called for. When Andrew raced onto a long clearance from Matt Lawrence, his way to goal was barred by Fontaine’s superbly-timed sliding tackle.