Warnock thinks positive

10:46am Tuesday 26th August 2008

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Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley

EAGLES manager Neil Warnock had mixed feelings about Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Burnley, saying he was proud of the players but disappointed not to win.

James Scowcroft and Shaun Derry were both sent off early in the second half, putting the hosts under pressure as they battled to earn a point.

Scowcroft's second yellow card came after a challenge with Clark Carlisle which resulted in both players needing treatment, only for the Palace number eight to receive his marching orders when he got back to his feet.

Derry was later booked for dissent and saw red just over a minute later after fouling Wade Elliott in the center circle.

Warnock said: "Derry's was a cert second card, I can't complain about that. But I think he got it wrong with the Scowcroft incident."

On Derry's sending off, the manager said: "He's let us all down. He's the captain and I said if you didn't want to lead, you didn't have to do that."

Warnock was hesitant to criticise referee Iain Williamson as he did not want to risk a fine, but added: "I think he's genuinely done the best he can, which is probably worrying."

The Eagles were the better of the two teams in the first half, but failed to make the breakthrough against a defensive-minded Burnley side which had already conceded seven goals in their previous two league games.

Tom Soares had a pair of penalty appeals turned down and John Oster and Leandre Griffit each had shots saved by Brian Jensen.

After the sendings off, Burnley pushed forward in search of a winner.

Chris McCann had a goal disallowed in the 75th minute for a foul on Julian Speroni, but the replay showed it looked as if the Palace keeper had collided with his own defender.

Speroni had earlier made an excellent save to deny Chris Eagles and rescued a point for Palace with an excellent stop in the last minute when Graham Alexander unleashed a shot through a packed area, only to see Speroni fly to his left to somehow keep it out.

Warnock said: "I'm proud of the nine men and the effort they gave me.

"We all know we need a striker and I'm sure before Monday week we will do.

"Then I think the season will take off because I don't think there's a lot wrong.

"I can't fault any of them and the only disappointment is not taking three points."

Ben Watson was named a substitute despite being linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, although he did not play.

Warnock said: "I was going to bring him on in the second half, but he was unlucky.

"I was going to bring him on again, but I thought Kieran Djilali might just have a run with it just to take a little bit of pressure off the other way, rather than be defensive minded."

Crystal Palace: Speroni; Butterfield, Lawrence, McCarthy, Hill; Oster (Andrew 51), Soares, Derry, Carle (Djilali 80), Griffit (Fonte 53); Scowcroft. Subs not used: Moses, Watson. Att: 14,071