Team News: Joe Ledley returned to the fold following the midweek win over Derby County in which Dave Jones rested the 'City skipper - though it seems that Joe will be deployed on the wing in favour of Paul Parry. In centre midfield Jones has kept faith in Stephen McPhail and Gavin Rae.

Paddy McCarthy has been brought back into the starting eleven for the first time in three months after a shoulder injury, partnering Claude Davis in defence. Nathaniel Clyne returns after sitting out midweek's fixture against Coventry, while Rui Fonte partners Anthony Stokes and Shefki Kuqi in attack.

Cardiff City: Stuart Taylor, Kevin McNaughton, Gavin Rae, Gabor Gyepes, Jay Boothroyd, Stephen McPhail, Roger Johnson, Joe Ledley (c), Michael Chopra, Mark Kennedy, Ross McCormack. Subs: Peter Whittingham, Eddie Johnson, Paul Parry, Tom Heaton, Miguel Comminges

Crystal Palace: Julian Speroni, Clint Hill, Shaun Derry, Paddy McCarthy, Nick Carle, Victor Moses, Claude Davis,Rui Fonte, Shefki Kuqi, Anthony Stokes, Nathaniel Clyne. Subs: Matt Lawrence, Lee Hills, Nathanial Pinney, James Comley, Kieron Cadogan

Chronological Report: Cardiff began at an impressive rate, looking to bring in their attacking options from midfield as Ledley and McCormack caused problems. The Bluebirds did in fact see the ball into the Eagles net in the opening three minutes, though Michael Chopra's headed effort from Johnson's flick on was adjudged to be marginally offside by the linesman, cutting short the brief Cardiff celebrations.

A minute later Jay was the next to test the Palace back line with an impressive solo run, shaking off a few defenders before his twenty yard shot, flying just wide of the post. Cardiff maintained their early pressure, forcing a good save out of Speroni after Joe Ledley had been fouled, seeing a solid opening ten minutes of possession, but not enough to open the door.

Palace had looked to have weathered the early storm, then finding a way to come back themselves as Shefki Kuqi came close with Palace's first real chance after eleven minutes. Kuqi hit a sweet volley after controlling the ball well, directed towards the far corner, but was denied for a corner by a deflection. Rui Fonte was then denied by the hard work of Gabor Gyepes to clear the danger after Stuart Taylor had been caught out of position.

City continued to pose more of a threat and for the next ten minutes dominated, resulting in a twentieth minute penalty as Joe Ledley beat Nathaniel Clyne in the box, seeing right back inadvertently clipping his heels for an undeniable spot kick.

Pressure free Ross McCortmack stepped up, then slotted in his tenth penalty of the season, sending Speromi the wrong way before calmly stroking the ball home.

GOAL: Crystal Palace 0 - 1 CARDFF. Ross McCormack, 20 mins (pen)

Palace looked to fight their way back into the match immediately, imposing themselves more on their visitors. Stuart Taylor atoned for his earlier mistake with a great diving finger tip save from a Moses shot that looked to be on its way into the net after clipping Kevin McNaughton with a cruel defelction.

The home side maintained their pressure, looking to the officials for a penalty of their own as Clint Hill's shot was cleared as it struck a yellow shirt - the Eagles claiming an arm had been used to no avail.

The physical approach from the Eagles was causing concern for Cardiff, as tackles were flying in of a very robust nature. Michael Chopra was forced to leave the field after thirty seven minutes to be replaced by Paul Parry, seeing McCormack resume his striker role and Parry move onto the right. Minutes later Parry himself was slammed into, resulting in treatment from the City physio and doctor, though he was ok to resume.

The half ended in controversy as Claude Davis caught Roger in the throat with his arm, resulting in the medical staff from both teams running on as Roger was coughing up blood. The ever present central defender was able to get to his feet, but told not to continue by Sean Connelly to Johnson's disappointment. Roger was replaced as Miguel Comminges came on into a right back position with McNaughton moving in to partner Gyepes. It was followed by some confrontations on the sidelines at the whistle that resulted in both Dave Jones and Neil Warnock being told to take a seat in the stands for the second half.

HALF TIME: PALACE 0 - 1 CARDIFF

As expected Palace looked to test Cardiff's shuffled back four from the off and piled early pressure on the Bluebirds.

An early and perhaps justified penalty claim came as Rui Fonte looked to have been brought down in the area, but with no spot kick awarded the home side were frustrated, along with their vocal home support.

With Palace reeling Cardiff almost doubled the lead as Ledley again beat Clyne before volleying a clever but ultimately wide shot from McCormack's free kick delivery.

Palace then turned the screw in search of an equaliser to give the game and fans something to hold on to. Cardiff were forced back, but despite the pressure the home side were found wanting in front of goal. New boy James Comley came closest as he stole the ball from an over relaxed Jay Bothroyd, though his shot was fired high over the bar to ease our nerves slightly.

The Eagles again looked for and were denied a soft free penalty as the half rolled on, while Cardiff began to spread the ball better and get forward themselves.

City ended the match with their backs to the wall, eased only in the five minutes of injury time as a long ball found McCormack who turned on the style by controlling it with ease, then embarrassing Claude Davis and smashed the ball into the net past a sprawling Speroni to make it 2-0.

GOAL: Crystal Palace 0 - 2 CARDIFF. McCormack, 90 + 2

The goal was just what we were looking for after some desperate defending, especially with news of wins for Burnley in sixth and Swansea outside the play-off positions.

FULL TIME: PALACE 0 - 2 CARDIFF

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Davis, Hill, Rui Fonte (Pinney 90), Derry (Comley 46), Carle, Moses, Kuqi, Stokes (Cadogan 80). Subs Not Used: Lawrence, Hills. Booked: Hill, Rui Fonte.

Cardiff: Taylor, McNaughton, Gyepes, Roger Johnson (Comminges 45), Kennedy, McCormack, Rae, McPhail, Ledley, Chopra (Parry 38), Bothroyd (Eddie Johnson 77). Subs Not Used: Heaton, Whittingham. Booked: Bothroyd, Rae. Goals: McCormack 22 pen, 90.

Att: 14,814

Ref: Russell Booth