Neither Crystal Palace nor Nottingham Forest could break of their recent run
of poor form in a disappointing encounter at Selhurst Park on Thursday night.
Forest had gone in front after only two minutes as Nicky Summerbee eased past
Craig Harrison before entering the penalty area.
The former Manchester City winger floated over a deep cross over to Stern John
who climbed above the Palace defence to convert a simple header for his 10th of
the season.
The Eagles hit back with a concerted attacking raid.
Trevor Benjamin had a shot blocked and mid-way through the first half Clinton
Morrison's close range effort was turned away by Riccardo Scimeca.
The Eagles continued to plug away and deservedly got their reward eight
minutes before the break after the best move of the half.
Dougie Freedman slipped a pass to Jamie Smith on the right and the Palace
full-back crossed to Benjamin at the far post.
The on-loan Leicester man headed back into the goalmouth and Morrison got the
vital touch from a few yards out for his 16th of the campaign.
After the break, Freedman got into the box after a lovely piece of dribbling
but Darren Ward came to the rescue for Forest with a great stop.
But the half was becoming too scrappy with both sides seemingly content to
bypass the midfield.
Summerbee was the main inspiration for Forest with a string of crosses but the
visitors lacked penetration.
Still it was from Summerbee's cross that Forest nearly snatched the lead with
John shooting wide from 10 yards out.
Another chance fell Forest's way following a break from defence which saw
David Prutton setting up Scimeca but Alex Kolinko was alert enough to make a
tremendous stop.
Further chances fell Forest's way at the end but John over-ran the ball after
beating Kolinko on the edge of the box and Scimeca fired over.
Teams
Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Smith, Harrison (Gray 66),
Edwards (Berhalter 46), Symons, Thomson, Hopkin, Riihilahti,
Freedman (Kirovski 70), Benjamin, Morrison.
Subs Not Used: Black, Carasso.
Booked: Berhalter.
Goals: Morrison 37.
Nottm Forest: Ward, Brennan, Scimeca, Hjelde, Prutton,
Summerbee, Bopp, Jenas (Vaughan 46), Louis-Jean, Williams, John.
Subs Not Used: Roche, Johnson, Lester, Gray.
Booked: Louis-Jean, Hjelde.
Goals: John 3.
Att: 15,645
Ref: R Harris (Oxford).
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