Crystal Palace stretched their unbeaten run in the league to 15 games with a hard fought 2-0 win over fellow promotion rivals Bristol City, thanks to strikes from Clinton Morrison and Mark Hudson.

In form Morrison set Palace on their way in just the 6th minute, bagging a fortuitous opener after City centre back Jamie McAllister attempted to clear James Scowcroft's flick-on into the box, only for the ball to strike Morrison's thigh and fly straight into the net.

Morrison's current purple patch has seen a return of 11 goals in the last 13 games but he is by no means the only player in red and blue with an eye for goal, as the next half hour of football proved.

Just minutes later, midfield Ben Watson was looking to double Palace's lead but he could only stab his effort wide of Adriano Basso's right hand post. Scowcroft then volleyed just wide from the other side of the area, as Gary Johnson's team struggled to find their feet.

14 minutes gone and Scowcroft turned his man following a throw-in, but Basso was equal to the shot that followed at the near-post.

Sean Scannell's pace was creating problems down the right, and in the 34th minute his cross found Tom Soares who prodded past the advancing Basso from the edge of the area only for the ball to shave the outside of the post.

For all their first half dominance, Palace could have found themselves going in level at the break were it not for the brilliance of Julian Speroni in the Palace goal.

In the 43rd minute the Argentine stopper found himself at full stretch to push away a rasping effort from Bradley Orr, and when the loose ball was in danger of getting turned into the unguarded net no-nonsense left back Clint Hill was on hand to clear.

After the interval, Palace had a glorious opportunity to extend their lead when Scowcroft broke down the right. But once in the opposition box his touch failed him, allowing Basso to scramble off his line and claim the ball.

Bristol City themselves stepped up a gear in an attempt to grab an equaliser.

56 minutes in and Palace right back John Halls was given the run around by Michael McIndoe before the former Wolves man dipped a volley just over the bar from the edge of the area.

For all City's effort and endeavour, Palace kept threatening to score a second a wrap the game up.

Morrison really should have ended the game as a contest on the hour after Watson broke from midfield, laid the ball off to the lurking Palace striker, but Morrison proceeded to blast his shot wide.

As City continued to labour, their frustrations started to get the better of them and the game threatened to boil over on several occasions. But with just the one goal lead, Palace remained vulnerable.

That was put right in the 85th when Palace centre-back Mark Hudson rose unchallenged to nod home Watson's free-kick and seal all three points.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Halls, Lawrence, Hudson, Hill, Scannell (Grabban 89), Derry, Watson, Soares, Scowcroft, Morrison (Hills 83). Subs Not Used: Fletcher, Freedman, Moses. Booked: Hill, Morrison. Goals: Morrison 6, Hudson 85. Bristol City Basso, Orr, Fontaine, McCombe, McAllister, Sproule, Johnson, McIndoe, Elliott, Carle (Byfield 62),Showunmi (Trundle 74). Subs Not Used: Weale, Noble, Skuse. Booked: Sproule, Orr. Att: 19,010 Ref: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire).