How the Palace players rated in last night's 1-1 draw at QPR:

Julian Speroni: Easily Palace’s man of the match with a string of world-class saves, the best of which came in the 87th minute when he tipped over a fierce volley from Rowan Vine, that helped earn Palace a precious away point. 9

Clint Hill: Cleared Akos Buzsaky’s shot off the line on the hour that kept Palace in the game. Tidy performance all round. 7

Jose Fonte: Without Patrick McCarthy at his side tends to try and play a bit too much football. Nearly got caught out when he let the ball slide to the unmarked Jay Simpson just before half time, only for the QPR man to shoot straight at Speroni. 6

Claude Davis: Needs a few more game to get match sharp, but looked an able deputy for the crocked McCarthy. Booked for a challenge on the edge of the area. 6

Danny Butterfield: Gave away the penalty when he needlessly went in on Adel Taarabt but then made up for it with some sterling tackling and searching passes. 6

Johannes Ertl: Still looks a tad uncomfortable playing out of position in midfield but ran all night and put the tackles in. Warmed the palms of the Ranger’s keeper with a long range effort. 5

Darren Ambrose: The Palace midfielder is surely the bargain of the Championship as he grabbed his ninth goal since joining on a free transfer in the summer. Excellent crossing as well, and at the heart of numerous attacks. 7

Shaun Derry: Another captain’s performance. Tireless running, harassing and tackling in the centre of the park against a mobile and pacey QPR side, coupled with some insightful passing. 7

Alessane N’Diaye: Disappointing night by his standards. Effectively playing in midfield and found himself very deep on occasions. Substituted at half time. 5

Neil Danns: Didn’t get in the game as much as he would have hoped, but stayed wide when he could and still gave the QPR defence enough to think about. 6

Stern John: Ran himself into the ground as effectively the lone striker in the first half. Hit the woodwork from inside the six-yard box when scoring seemed easier, and saw a header smack the foot of the upright. 7

SUBS

Freddie Sears: Came on for N’Diaye and added some much needed pace and creativity to the Palace forward play. Gave the QPR defenders something to think about, and in the case of Fitz Hall, he didn’t have any answers so pulled the on-loan from West Ham striker down for a penalty. 7

Lee Hills: 84th minute substitute for Danns and could possibly have won the game for Palace when Darren Ambrose broke from midfield in second half injury time and played him in, only for his shot to sail over the bar. 6

Alan Lee: 67th minute substitute for John, should have scored in the 72nd minute when Danns picked him out, only for his header to not have enough power in it allowing Radek Cerny to smother on the line. Tussled with Kaspara Gorkss late on and was lucky not to get booked. 6