Just when the enticing prospect of a rise of seven places up the First Division table beckoned for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last night, their evening was spoiled by Marcus Bent's 67th-minute equaliser for Ipswich. His towering header cancelled out an earlier one from Andrew Johnson, who almost had the last word with another header which hit the bar.

The 18th-minute effort that Johnson looped over Andy Marshall from Tommy Black's right-wing cross was paltry reward for Palace's attacking enterprise during the opening half. There were countless other near things. Danny Granville was just too high with a free kick and Johnson could have scored again moments after his goal following a dash to the byline.

Marshall, who saved a cross shot from Julian Gray, was then grateful to see Noel Whelan fail with a firm drive. His effort went just past an upright as did an ensuing tame close-range shot by Shaun Derry from Johnson's cross.

Ipswich, who had started for the first time with Richard Naylor as a central defender, deputising for the injured Hermann Hreidarsson, faded somewhat as an attacking force from the 10th minute. That was when Cedric Berthelin came to Palace's rescue twice within a few seconds. After producing an untidy save to thwart Darren Bent, he excelled by tipping over Matt Holland's header from Jim Magilton's ensuing corner.

With the help though of one enforced substitution following Darren Ambrose's departure and a tactical switch which led to Chris Makin being replaced by Pablo Counago, Ipswich looked a better proposition after the interval.

Nicholas Harling (Daily Telegraph)