August 23 2008

James Scowcroft

Crystal Palace performed heroics to hold out for a 0-0 draw at home to Burnley after being reduced to nine players.

James Scowcroft saw red two minutes into the second half before Shaun Derry got his marching orders shortly after - both for two bookings.

Sensing blood, Burnley pushed for a winning goal but Julian Speroni heped secure apoint by keeping out strikes from Christian Kalvenes and Chris Eagles.

Palace manager Neil Warnock handed recent signing Leandre Griffit his debut in place of youngster Lee Hills on the left side.

Looking for their first league goal and win of the new season, Palace fashioned the first chance with centre-back Paddy McCarthy launching a long-range shot that was saved by Burnley keeper Brian Jensen.

Griffit then tried his luck but the effort from 30 yards flew straight at Jensen as the Eagles tried in vain to break down a solid Burnley rearguard.

Burnley came out of their shell as the half progressed with Kalvenes lashing off target and Martin Paterson with a curler saved by Speroni.

Nine minutes before the break, Palace targetman Scowcroft escaped a red card but was booked for elbowing Graham Alexander.

Then seconds after the half-time break, Scowcroft was given a second yellow after going up for a header with his opponent.

Kevin McDonald tested Speroni with a drive from the edge of the area before Palace went down to nine men with the sending off of Derry on 52 minutes.

Derry, who was booked for dissent after complaining about Scowcroft's red, then received a second yellow for a foul on Wade Elliott.

With a two-man advantage, Burnley pressed forward with Kalvenes' shot from the right-hand side of the penalty box saved by Speroni and Chris McCann blasted wide.

Paterson then volleyed over the crossbar from close range before Clarke Carlisle saw a goal ruled out for a foul on Speroni.

Paterson, Alexander and Steven Caldwell had chances but in the end, Palace held on for a sixth consecutive clean sheet at home.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, McCarthy, Hill, Oster (Andrew 51), Soares, Carle (Djilali 80), Derry, Griffit (Fonte 53), Scowcroft.

Not Used: Moses, Watson.

Burnley: Jensen, Duff (Blake 63), Carlisle, Kalvenes, Caldwell, Elliott, Alexander, McCann, McDonald (Gudjonsson 74), Eagles, Paterson (Akinbiyi 82).

Not Used: Penny, Jordan.

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