Holloway still eyeing top two

Ian Holloway is staying calm in Crystal Palace's quest for promotion to the Premier League despite a setback against relegation-threatened Barnsley.

Palace dominated possession but failed to find a cutting edge as they fell further behind their rivals with a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.

It put them eight points behind second-placed Hull with five games left and facing the lottery of the play-offs, but Holloway is not giving up on the top two.

"The more we get a point and not three the worse it will be, all we have to do is try and get some rhythm back to us and start scoring goals again," he said.

"We have to take it in small steps, we have definitely stayed up, then you have to try and get enough to get in the play-offs, then that first or second spot after that.

"What we have to do is get on a better run than this, the people that time those runs are normally successful."

Andre Moritz forced Luke Steele into two good saves from long-distance free-kicks and Aaron Wilbraham put two late chances over the bar as Palace failed in front of goal for the fourth game running.

"It was very disappointing for the lads," added Holloway. "They have had a big ruck in the dressing room because they want it so bad and I have had to go in and calm them down.

"It's just the way it is, it is a wonderful club and a wonderful place and I have people that really care about it. But I had a right go at them and said they have to stick together."