91�ȱ�

Bristol City substitute Brett Pitman salvaged a point for his side with a late double against Crystal Palace.

Pitman pulled one back on 77 minutes with a 25-yard free kick before adding a second deep into injury time after a long ball into the box.

Palace's Wilfried Zaha scored from 18 yards early on before City's Stephen Pearson hit the bar before the break.

Darren Ambrose got Palace's second from the spot with 21 minutes left after Liam Fontaine fouled Glenn Murray.

The result leaves City one place above the relegation zone, while mid-table Palace have now gone six games without a win.

Zaha's first goal since October and Ambrose's first since his stunning effort in the Carling Cup win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in November gave the visitors the upper hand but City pressed hard.

Yannick Bolasie, Chris Wood, Albert Adomah, Marvin Elliott and Pearson all went close and Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni was frequently called into action.

Zaha was also denied by David James at the other end, while Jermaine Easter pulled a shot wide for the Eagles before Pitman, who came on for Bolasie on 70 minutes, rescued the point at the end.

Bristol City boss Derek McInnes: "Fontaine twice had his shirt pulled by Murray in the build-up [to the penalty].

"None of the officials noticed that and then the linesman flags for a foul by our player.

"After that the lads showed tremendous spirit to get a point. Brett Pitman is probably the best finisher we have. He has had to be patient in awaiting his opportunities and could do no more than he did tonight.

"Having been a player myself, I know how frustrating it can be to be left out. Brett has responded in the perfect manner."

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman: "I thought the lads were outstanding. We were the better side and played some great football to go two goals up.

"It's not like us to concede as we did in the closing stages, but this is a difficult place to come and I cannot fault the players.

"Wilfried Zaha is an exciting young player who works hard at his game. He scored a quality goal, but doesn't always come up with an end product. That will improve as he gains more experience.

"I thought we looked dangerous all through the game and might have had more goals. The result was a disappointment, but otherwise I couldn't be happier."