Cardiff continued their push for automatic promotion after goals in either half from Ross McCormack gave them victory over Crystal Palace in a tempestuous affair at Selhurst Park.

The Bluebirds had made a bright start and Jay Bothroyd had a shot saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni before Nathanial Clyne bundled Joe Ledley over in the area and referee Russell Booth pointed to the spot.

McCormack duly sent Speroni the wrong way with the penalty and the game further sparked into life just before half-time when Cardiff defender Roger Johnson was forced off following a challenge by Claude Davis.

Cardiff manager Dave Jones was incensed by the challenge and approached Davis as the players came off for half-time in an incident which saw both Jones and counterpart Neil Warnock sent to the stands.

Both sides battled in the second half but McCormack made the game safe in injury-time when he turned Davis and smashed home his 21st goal of the season.

Palace defender Paddy McCarthy returned after three months out with a shoulder injury while Clyne, Clint Hill, Rui Fonte and Nick Carle also came into the side.

Cardiff manager Jones made one change from the 4-1 rout of Derby as skipper Ledley returned to the starting line-up with Peter Whittingham dropping to the bench.

The visitors made a bright start and Michael Chopra had the ball in the back of the net after only three minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Minutes later Chopra rolled a free-kick into the path of Bothroyd and his shot went through the wall but Speroni made a good save with his feet.

Palace began to come into the game but they were behind with 22 minutes gone when Clyne brought down Ledley in the area and McCormack stroked home the resulting penalty.

The Eagles responded well and Victor Moses had a shot blocked before the ball came back to Shefki Kuqi in the box but the Finn dragged his shot wide.

Cardiff lost both Chopra and Johnson to injury before half-time but were able to hold onto their lead.

Davis did appear to catch Johnson in the neck and neither Jones nor Warnock returned to their dugouts after the break following the half-time row.

The drama did not stop once the action resumed and Rui Fonte was brought down inside the area but this time Booth waved play on to the annoyance of the Palace fans.

Cardiff almost compounded Palace's misery moments later when McCormack's free-kick found Ledley but he drove wide from six yards when he should have done better.

The game turned into somewhat of a war of attrition with both sides cancelling each other out with Rui Fonte and Carle off target with efforts from distance.

Palace pressed for an equaliser but were finished off in injury-time by the superb McCormack who cut inside Davis and drove an excellent left-foot shot across Speroni.

Teams

Crystal Palace Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Davis, Hill,Rui Fonte (Pinney 90), Derry (Comley 46), Carle, Moses, Kuqi,Stokes (Cadogan 80).

Subs Not Used: Lawrence, Hills.

Booked: Hill, Rui Fonte.

Cardiff Taylor, McNaughton, Gyepes,Roger Johnson (Comminges 45), Kennedy, McCormack, Rae, McPhail,Ledley, Chopra (Parry 38), Bothroyd (Eddie Johnson 77).

Subs Not Used: Heaton, Whittingham.

Booked: Bothroyd, Rae.

Goals: McCormack 22 pen, 90.

Att: 14,814

Ref: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire).