Eagles manager Neil Warnock seemed to agree as he accompanied referee Paul Taylor down the tunnel at half-time.

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.