Bolton saw double red as Steve Coppell's Eagles stuttered again at Selhurst Park.

This goalless draw was overshadowed by the sendings-off of Bolton's skipper Mike Whitlow on 52 minutes and Gudni Bergsson on 82 minutes.

Palace have now drawn their last four games at home and although Bolton salvaged a point, it almost certainly ends any faint hopes they have of reaching the play-offs.

Sam Allardyce's side can now concentrate on their forthcoming lucrative Wembley semi-final against Aston Villa while Palace must battle it out for First Division survival.

Palace had the edge in the first half in terms of possession but the Trotters were not without their chances.

The Eagles made all the early running with on-loan striker Mikael Forssell from Chelsea and Ashley Cole from Arsenal making good impressions.

Wayne Carlisle volleyed straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen from 10 yards out and Bergsson cleared a Clinton Morrison cross off his own line before Bolton eventually settled.

Bob Taylor headed over Paul Ritchie's free-kick before Forssell hit the post for Palace at the other end. Ritchie and Dean Holdsworth missed close range headers for the visitors just before the break.

The second half sparked into life when skipper Whitlow clattered recklessly into Morrison for his second bookable offence and the Trotters, not for the first time in recent weeks, were down to 10 players.

But, ironically, the depleted visitors got better as Palace became frustrated.

Bergsson hit the post from Claus Jenson's corner and on 65 minutes they went close to being awarded a penalty when Holdsworth went down following keeper Fraser Digby's rash challenge.

Eight minutes from time Bergsson clashed with Morrison and picked up his second yellow card and Bolton were down to nine men.

Palace launched attack after attack as they searched for the late winner but Bolton held out grimly for their point.

Crystal Palace: Digby, Austin, Linighan, Zhiyi, Cole, Carlisle, Mullins, Rodger (Hankin 15), McKenzie (Rizzo 79), Morrison, Forssell.

Subs Not Used: Woozley, Gregg, Martin.

Booked: McKenzie.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Bergsson, Elliott, Fish, Whitlow, Jensen, Ritchie, Johansen (O'Kane 60), Johnston (Passi 60), Taylor (Nolan 86), Holdsworth.

Subs Not Used: Hansen, Banks.

Sent Off: Whitlow (52), Bergsson (88).

Booked: Whitlow, Bergsson, Banks, Elliott.

Att: 15,236

Ref: M Warren (Walsall).