Title contenders Birmingham City could only manage a point against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Blues fail to monopolise 10-man Palace
Title contenders Birmingham City could only manage a point against Crystal Palace, who saw out the final few minutes with just ten men at Selhurst Park.
Travelling fans again showed their discontent as the Blues failed to overhaul 10-man Palace, with the likes of Marcus Bent, Lee Bowyer, Cameron Jerome and new signing Carlos Costly looking devoid of ideas as they wasted countless chances on goal.
Nick Carle's dismissal following a late challenge on Jerome looked to have handed the visitors a clear chance but Alex McLeish's side once again failed to deliver in a lacklustre goalless draw.
Bright
After a bright opening from Palace, during which Victor Moses tested Maik Taylor with a fierce 20-yard drive, Birmingham got their first sight of goal in the 11th minute.
Sebastian Larsson's deep, curling cross eluded Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni but Costly, making his first start for the visitors, could not get a head on the ball.
Speroni then saved well at the feet of Bowyer and Keith Fahey fired wide with City by now warming to their task.
They should have opened the scoring on the half-hour when Bent got in front of his marker and met another fine Larsson cross with a firm header, but the ball flew inches wide.
As the interval approached a comical mix-up between Stephen Carr and Taylor almost let in Alan Lee, but the Palace striker could not finish.
The City keeper made amends moments later by blocking Neil Danns' shot - although the ex-Birmingham midfielder was adamant he should have had a penalty for a shirt-pull.
Eagles manager Neil Warnock seemed to agree as he accompanied referee Paul Taylor down the tunnel at half-time.
Chance
Birmingham missed two gilt-edged chances to take the lead in quick succession after the break.
A hashed clearance from Jose Fonte fell to Bowyer in front of goal, but the on-loan West Ham midfielder inexplicably prodded the ball wide.
And moments later Costly was put through by Larsson but got stage fright and snatched at his shot, missing the target by five yards.
When Moses was stretchered off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, most of Palace's creative spark left with him.
McLeish and Warnock cut frustrated figures on the touchline as passes went astray and attacks broke down - and the latter's mood was not improved by a straight red card for midfielder Carle in the 76th minute for lunging in at Jerome.
Fahey sent a powerful header wide and Jerome somehow missed a stoppage-time cross on the goal-line with Birmingham unable to force a winner.
