Crystal Palace 1 Cardiff City 2 Crystal Palace slipped further into the relegation mire after a frustrating home defeat to play-off chasing Cardiff City.

Palace dominated for long spells but failed to make the most of their possession as they allowed the Bluebirds to steal victory.

The Eagles were forced into a number of changes due to injury, with Calvin Andrew drafted in for Alan Lee up front, but were buoyed by the return of Patrick McCarthy.

And Palace made a nightmare start as the visitors took the lead inside the opening five minutes.

Peter Whittingham's corner was flicked on by Michael Chopra and Gabor Gyepes sidefooted home.

Paul Hart's men were peppering the Cardiff box with crosses and on 18 minutes Clint Hill came desperately close to an equaliser, his looping header bouncing back off the crossbar.

With Shaun Derry and Darren Ambrose prominent, Palace were enjoying plenty of possession but lacking a cutting edge.

It was Ambrose next to go close, his close range effort pushed aside by David Marshall.

And seconds later Ambrose again tried his luck, his cute lob sailing just over.

The Eagles were building up a head of steam, but unable to make the breakthrough.

And they should have been punished when Kelvin Etuhu broke clear on 39 minutes, only for Julian Speroni to make a brave block.

Ambrose should have pulled Palace level seconds after the restart, Sean Scannell's low cross finding him in space, only for his snap-shot to sail agonisingly wide.

The home side finally made the pressure count just before the hour mark, Hill firmly heading home Ambrose's corner.

Cardiff retook the lead against the run of play shortly afterwards, Chris Burke volleying home after Mark Kennedy's free-kick had been nodded down.

Back came Palace with Ambrose continuing to bombard the Bluebirds box with a succession of corners and free-kicks but the visitors' defence stood firm.

Into injury time and Scannell came close to drawing the Eagles level again, his drive deflecting off Darcy Blake and spinning just wide.

But Palace were unable to force a goal and must now look to Tuesday's trip to Watford.

Palace: Speroni, Hill, Derry, McCarthy, Ambrose, Danns, John (Zaha 80), Scannell, Hills, Andrew, Ertl Subs: Djilali, Comley, N'Diaye, Wynter, Mann, Holland Att: 13,464