Queens Park Rangers 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

Ambrose stock continues to rise

Updated: November 4, 2009, 8:09 AM UK

Darren Ambrose kept up his goalscoring streak as Crystal Palace secured a battling point with a 1-1 draw at QPR.

The midfielder, a bargain free summer transfer from Charlton, took his tally for the season to nine with a second-half penalty.

Rangers had gone ahead in the first half through a penalty of their own, Akos Buzsaky tucking away his third spot-kick in five games.

But some fine goalkeeping from Julian Speroni late on ensured the hosts missed the chance to move up to fifth as the derby between the Coca-Cola Championship's only two London sides ended all square.

Rangers had five ex-Palace players in their starting line-up but this was no case of friends reunited as the no-nonsense visitors harried and hassled their high-flying opponents.

One of the old boys, Wayne Routledge, is still booed by the Eagles fans over his move to Tottenham more than four years ago.

But the winger had a chance to silence the jeers in the opening three minutes only to see his shot blocked by Speroni.

Palace were clearly in no mood to give Rangers' twinkle-toed attackers, who had hit 13 goals in their last four games, the room to enjoy themselves.

But when tricky winger Adel Taarabt did make it into the opposition penalty area after 18 minutes, his sharp turn was too quick for Eagles defender Danny Butterfield who took his legs away.

Referee Mick Russell pointed to the spot and Buzsaky sent Speroni the wrong way.

But Palace showed they can play a bit too on the half-hour mark when Neil Danns fed Ambrose, whose cross was turned onto a post by Stern John.

Moments later Rangers failed to deal with Ambrose's corner and an almighty scramble ended when Alessane N'Diaye's volley hit Buzsaky on the goal-line.

Routledge fluffed a superb chance to double Rangers' lead when he fired wide when one-on-one with Speroni, who also saved well from Jay Simpson before the break.

In the second half Danns volleyed over for Palace while Speroni pulled off a fine save from Alejandro Faurlin's drive.

Taarabt almost grabbed a second for Rangers when he chipped Speroni but Clint Hill cleared the ball from under the crossbar - and moments later Palace were level.

Fitz Hall clumsily brought down substitute Freddie Sears and Ambrose made no mistake from the spot.

Both teams had chances to win it, but Radek Cerny got down well to keep out Alan Lee's header and Speroni superbly clawed away Buzsaky's curling free-kick and Rowan Vine's late volley.