An improved Cardiff are held by Neil Warnock's dogged Crystal Palace

Cardiff were left to rue missed chances as play-off chasing Crystal Palace held them to a goalless draw.

Palace stopper Julian Speroni denied Roger Johnson before Cardiff's Paul Parry and Kevin McNaughton wasted good opportunities after the break.

City's Glenn Loovens failed to convert Peter Whittingham's teasing cross while a shot from Aaron Ramsey hit the post.

Clinton Morrison could have snatched three points for Palace but he could not head in Ben Watson's cross.

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Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock:
"Clinton (Morrison) had the best chance of the night and could have had a couple.

"He usually doesn't miss them - he didn't really have to head it forcefully; he just had to direct it.

"But that's not for me to tell him - he knows all about striking and has bailed us out on several occasions."

Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"They've thrown bodies in the way time and again. I gambled a little bit by bringing Trevor (Sinclair) and Riccardo Scimeca back.

"Today we've passed as well as we ever have, and it's been a vast improvement.

"What I can say is that everyone is in contention for the next game and they've put in a good shift."

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Crystal Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, Hudson, Hill, Ifill (Scowcroft 26), Fletcher (Freedman 63), Watson, Derry, Morrison, Moses (Scannell 62).
Subs Not Used: Soares, Hills.

Cardiff: Enckelman, McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi, Sinclair (Ramsey 71), Scimeca (Rae 64), McPhail, Whittingham, Parry, Thompson.
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse, Hasselbaink.

Att: 13,446

Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).