Trouble with the ex

Peter Taylor still talks fondly of his time at the helm at Hull City, but after the Tigers denied his Palace side netting three points for the second time this season, he must be getting fed up with them now.

Ian Ashbee's 72nd-minute header cancelled out Carl Fletcher's stunning strike to end the Eagles' three-game winning run. But despite the setback, Palace are still in touch with the play-offs with only eight points separating them from sixth-placed Cardiff City.

Taylor resisted temptations to give new signing Paul Ifill his first Eagles start and plumped for the same side which dispatched Coventry so ruthlessly at the Ricoh Arena the previous Saturday.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes, the game came to life when Hull defender Michael Turner escaped a red card for kicking out at Stuart Green.

The former Hull winger fell on top of the ball and Turner kicked Green in his attempts to win back possession. After consulting his linesman, referee Clive Penton opted for just a booking.

Another ex-Tiger, Leon Cort, then had a header cleared off the line by Ryan France before Stephen McPhee had a great opportunity to put his side into the lead.

The Hull striker beat the Palace offside trap and nudged the ball past an on-rushing Scott Flinders before going down theatrically inside the box.

McPhee was booked for diving, but limped off minutes later after damaging his hamstring while performing the dive.

Dougie Freedman had a shot on the turn which went wide before Cort came to Palace's rescue by clearing a Nicky Forster cross which would have given veteran substitute Dean Windass an easy tap-in.

Windass was in the thick of the action again as the half drew to a close. His curling 25-yard free-kick struck Flinders' left-hand post and rebounded into the path of Forster who volleyed over.

After the visitors ended the first half the strongest, Palace took charge of the game when the second half began. Mark Kennedy had a stinging drive blocked by Tigers keeper Bo Myhill before his inswinging cross was headed over by Kuqi.

But it wasn't long before Palace finally made the breakthrough and it was well worth the wait. Jobi McAnuff cut in from the left before teeing up Fletcher who unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard drive which flew into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Palace could and should have doubled their lead minutes later when the unmarked Kuqi headed woefully over after he was picked out inside the box by Kennedy. The miss would eventually come back to haunt the Eagles.

Hull responded strongly as Palace began to sit back. Jon Parkin had a deflected shot saved by Flinders before Sam Ricketts fired over. Forster hit the side netting as Hull's bombardment of the Palace goal continued, forcing Taylor to withdraw Freedman and introduce Tom Soares to beef up the numbers in midfield.

But the move backfired as a minute later Hull were level. Tigers captain Ashbee rose highest to head home Dean Marney's inswinging corner.

Palace nearly regained their lead when Cort's shot was blocked by Myhill face and Hudson volleyed over the rebound.

Taylor reverted back to a 4-4-2 by replacing Kennedy with Clinton Morrison, but it was Hull who finished the stronger and came closest to grabbing the three points.

Flinders needed two attempts to save Parkin's drive under pressure from substitute Stuart Elliott as panic set in to the Palace defence.

Palace were hanging on for their point at the end and were the more relieved to hear the final whistle.

Palace star man: Leon Cort. Set an example at both end of the pitch. Looked a threat at set-pieces, while defending strongly at the back. Should score more goals considering the amount of crosses he seems to get on the end of.Palace: Flinders 5, Lawrence 6, Ward 6, Hudson 7, Cort 7, McAnuff 7, Kennedy 6 (Morrison 83 5), Fletcher 7, Green 5 (Ifill 62 6), Freedman 6 (Soares 70 5), Kuqi 6