Steve Bruce's much-hyped return to Selhurst Park failed to live up to expectation as nerves got the better of both sides in a dour stalemate.

Birmingham have now gone six league matches unbeaten and they edged a point nearer a fourth consecutive play-off spot, while Palace really needed a win to keep their faint hopes alive.

Blues striker Geoff Horsfield came nearest to breaking the deadlock, but his close range effort early on was tipped round the post by Palace keeper Matt Clarke.

All Palace's best efforts were from long range with Danny Granville peppering the visitors' goal with a series of free-kicks.

Birmingham boss Bruce was returning to the club whose fans, he said recently, he had let down "big style" when turning his back on south London for St Andrews in controversial circumstances earlier in the season.

But prior to this crunch clash he had said revenge was definitely not on his agenda - City still had a job to do in securing their place in the play-offs and there was little room for sentiment.

And it was Bruce's side who were the quicker into their stride, Horsfield first to threaten after he had beaten the offside trap.

Granville responded for Palace, his 25-yard free-kick flying narrowly wide, but Birmingham were enjoying the better of the early exchanges.

It was not until after the half-hour mark that Palace created any openings.

Moments after home keeper Clarke had held onto a stinging Stern John shot from the edge of the penalty, Palace's Steve Thompson saw his 25-yarder fly over the bar and Clinton Morrison missed the target when well-placed six yards out.

With keeper Cedric Carasso replacing the injured Clarke at the break, Palace showed greater urgency with Granville firing in another 25-yard free-kick that Nico Vaesen saved.

The Blues keeper then tipped another Granville thunderbolt around the post and held onto Ade Akinbiyi's close-range effort as Palace briefly awoke from their slumber.

Bruce responded by replacing the injured Tommy Williams with winger Stan Lazaridis and he soon forced Carasso into action after whipping in a dangerous cross.

Both sides were restricted to long-range efforts, Jeff Kenna seeing his 25-yarder fly wide and Birmingham's John flashing another shot the wrong side of Carasso's post.

Francis replaced Shaun Murphy with Julian Gray as the match entered the final quarter, while Bruce sent on Tommy Mooney for Horsfield.

Mooney was quickly into the action, testing Carasso from 25 yards as both sides probed for that elusive opening.

But it was not to be and Bryan Hughes' frustration got the better of him as he was booked for persistent infringement, while another Granville free-kick was comfortably held by Vaesen.

With the clock ticking down Palace striker Dougie Freedman was replaced by Tommy Black and City's Hughes made way for Paul Devlin - but neither tactical switch had any impact on a game that was destined to end scoreless.

Teams:

Crystal Palace: Clarke (Carasso 45), Mullins, Austin, Murphy (Gray 72), Granville, Fleming, Riihilahti, Thomson, Freedman (Black 84), Morrison, Akinbiyi.

Subs Not Used: Rodger, Kirovski.

Birmingham: Vaesen, Kenna, Tebily, Michael Johnson, Tommy Williams (Lazaridis 55), Damien Johnson, Michael Hughes, Bryan Hughes (Devlin 85), Woodhouse, Horsfield (Mooney 75), John.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Eaden.

Booked: Bryan Hughes.

Att: 19,598

Ref: S Baines (Chesterfield).