Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray has the full backing of manager Dougie Freedman, despite his goal drought stretching back to last year.

Murray failed to find the net again on Saturday as Palace succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Ironically the last time Murray scored was in the reverse fixture against Forest on December 10, where Palace ran out 1-0 winners.

But his all-round play was better on Saturday and he linked up well with Wilfried Zaha and Sean Scannell, leading Freedman to stress that side of Murray’s game is just as important as scoring goals.

“I feel that as a forward you have to contribute more than just goals," he said.

"He held the ball up fantastically well in the first half and he linked up well which is an asset for us.

“In my eyes, I just don’t pick players that just put the ball in the back of the net, you have to give a little more to your all round game. “Although Glenn’s goals weren’t there today, I felt his link up play was fantastic.”

The Palace boss conceded it was not a good day for his patched up side but said he learned a lot from the game.

“Result wise it was not a good day. When you get beat it is never good, but I felt for 65 minutes it was a very even game,” he said.

“I felt if we had taken one or two of our opportunities, especially in the first half, it could have been different. “It was a smash and grab performance from Nottingham Forest. I thought they defended very well and when they got the goal it opened up the game. “We had to chase the game and they picked us off. So it was a disappointing day but it teaches me a lot about how we go about our business.”

Freedman reserved special praise for Dean Moxey who covered at centre back. The Eagles were without defensive duo Anthony Gardner and Paul McShane through injury. He said: “It is a new position for him. We have to adapt due to the injuries we have got. I thought Dean Moxey did a grand job.

“If I was to point my finger at anything I think our energy levels are a bit low. That is the price we pay for our cup run. “I thought we would pay a price just after we got knocked out but I’m learning that it is now."