Old boy Kabba a wind-up act

Crystal Palace 2 Sheffield United

Sheffield United avoided the worst possible start to their build-up for next Sunday's FA Cup semi-final by rescuing a point three minutes from full time and extending their unbeaten run to nine games. However it is safe to say that any Arsenal scout present in the south London sunshine will not be reporting back to Highbury with anything too scary in advance of their semi-final clash in seven days' time.

United's manager Neil Warnock was realistic enough about his side's poor performance to comment wryly: "We're leading Arsenal into a false sense of security," before admitting: "We were second best in the first half." He might have added second half as well because Crystal Palace should have settled matters long before their old boy Steve Kabba poked home the equaliser after a goalmouth scramble. But for some poor finishing after the interval and good goalkeeping by Paddy Kenny, the Blades would have been well and truly blunted.

The scorching tirade on his players and coaching staff voiced by Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan this week, sparing no one from the manager Trevor Francis downwards, seemed to have its desired effect at Selhurst Park. Palace are safe from the relegation zone but, perhaps worse from Jordan's point of view, are out of contention for the play-offs. However, they are not safe from Jordan's tongue and, suitably geed up on Grand National day, they deserved to twice take the lead against the FA Cup semi-finalists.

United also reached the last four of the Worthington Cup this season and have arguably been the First Division's best team this year, yet they were unable to show that quality for much of this match.

Initially, United's experienced duo of Stuart McCall and Wayne Allison looked like controlling the game, but before they had created a genuine chance, Palace had taken the lead. With quarter of an hour gone, Dele Adebola waltzed into the penalty area and past two defenders before scoring his sixth goal of the season.

United's equaliser, although fortunate, came five minutes after Adebola's goal. Michael Tonge crossed inaccurately and Allison rescued a lost cause at the far post. His cross looked weak, but the unfortunate Tony Popovic diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper. Presumably, with Jordan's words still ringing in their ears, Palace set about United again and when Noel Whelan won a tussle inside the area after 28 minutes, he turned and lashed his shot past Kenny.

Shaun Derry and Whelan had opportunities to make it 3-1 during the second half, and it was that failure to settle things which let United in so late on. If the Arsenal scout left early, that small detail could prove crucial.

Crystal Palace 2
Adebola 15, Whelan 28

Sheffield United 2
Popovic og 21, Kabba 87

Half-time: 2-1 Attendance: 15,377