Ade Akinbiyi's equaliser earned Burnley a point against Crystal Palace as the Clarets' winless run was extended to 16 matches.

The hosts looked like slipping towards the relegation zone after Clinton Morrison, who scored both goals in Palace's 2-1 win over Luton last week, was gifted an opening goal, looping a header under the bar in the 15th minute.

But Burnley responded well and Akinbiyi headed in for his first goal in nine league matches since returning to Turf Moor from Sheffield United in January.

Playing against his old club, Akinbiyi had a succession of chances to add a second as Burnley came on strong in the second half. But they could not find a decisive goal to claim victory for the first time since November.

Having won their previous two matches, this draw was a blow to Palace's slim chances of a play-off place.

It was a scrappy start with few openings for either side although Burnley goalkeeper Danny Coyne almost let Palace in when he prevented the ball going out for a corner by pushing the ball straight to Jamie Scowcroft.

But without even having to launch a genuine attack, the visitors took the lead after 14 minutes.

Burnley midfielder Joey Gudjonsson's corner was easily collected by Kiraly at the near post and his huge kick bounced over Steven Caldwell and John McGreal for Morrison to loop a header over Coyne and just under the bar.

Leon Cort did well to prevent an equaliser two minutes later, blocking an Akinbiyi cross with Andy Gray poised to strike.

The Clarets continued to carry little threat going forward, while left winger 19-year-old Lewwis Spence, making his first start for Palace, was repeatedly beating Mike Duff with ease.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Akinbiyi's fierce drive was palmed over the bar by Kiraly.

But in the 38th minute, Duff's clipped cross was glanced past Kiraly by Akinbiyi to level.

With Burnley continuing to press, Gudjonsson fired just high and wide from the edge of the box in the final minute of the half.

The hosts had two good chances in the first couple of minutes after the restart. Firstly, Gray had a low shot saved and an unmarked Akinbiyi headed straight at Kiraly from Harley's hanging cross.

Harley also clipped a low ball across the face of goal as the Clarets gave Peter Taylor's side an uncomfortable start to the second period.

Just past the hour, Duff got in ahead of Spence and, having broken in the Palace half, fed Akinbiyi, but the striker sliced wide.

Cort then took all the sting out of another Akinbiyi shot after Gray's clever pass.

In the 70th minute Wade Elliott's cross to the far post was headed back across goal by Harley but just wide.

In a rare attack, Lewis Grabban sprung Burnley's offside trap to run onto a pass from fellow substitute Ben Watson, but the youngster dragged his effort wide.

Moments later, Morrison collected Danny Butterfield's cross on the turn, but did not trouble Coyne.

Teams

Burnley Coyne, Duff, McGreal, Caldwell, Harley, Elliott,James O'Connor, Gudjonsson, McCann (Jones 80),Gray (Garreth O'Connor 89), Akinbiyi.

Subs Not Used: Djemba-Djemba, Spicer, Foster.

Booked: Gudjonsson, James O'Connor.

Goals: Akinbiyi 38.

Crystal Palace Kiraly, Butterfield, Hudson, Cort, Lawrence,Soares, Fletcher, Spence (Watson 66), Freedman (Grabban 63),Morrison, Scowcroft.

Subs Not Used: Speroni, Ward, Martin.

Booked: Scowcroft, Watson.

Goals: Morrison 15.

Att: 10,659

Ref: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).