DESPITE seeing his Crystal Palace side let a two-goal lead slip through their fingers at Bristol City, boss Dougie Freedman came away from Ashton Gate singing the Eagles' praises.

Two goals from substitute Brett Pitman in the last quarter of the match rescued a point for the strugglers, a result that looked highly unlikely after Wilfried Zaha's cracker and a Darren Ambrose penalty had put Palace within touching distance of their first league win of 2012.

However, the wait goes on for Freedman's men.

While the manager was disappointed with the result – in a game they really should have won - the Scot was more than happy with the team's performance.

"I thought we were the better side, took the game to the home side and, performance wise, it was fantastic," he said.

"To get two nil up away from home and not get the result is disappointing, but we can't come here and guarantee to get the three points. We got the lead and we couldn't hang on, but I would say it is a good point and a fantastic performance.

"It is unlike us to lose two goals, so I was disappointed with the result, but I can't be disappointed with that performance. It was wonderful to watch and looking forward, I am happy going away tonight on what I have seen."

Freedman was very happy with Zaha's performance, which surely must have caught the eye of the watching England caretaker manager Stuart Pearce and said the 19-year-old is improving with every game.

"He works hard at his game - comes in and works hard every day to try to improve on his finishing and movement," he said. "He is getting better and has huge potential – the problem is, right now, he doesn't quite know how to finish teams off. When he picks it up, he will be good."

Freedman named the same team which picked up a point at Middlesborough in the previous match and, after having a weekend off because of the Doncaster postponement, Palace played with an attacking verve that Bristol City found hard to contain.

Zaha was at the fulcrum of everything – every stepover and flick was working and he was gliding past the City defenders like they weren't even there.

It was no surprise when he opened the scoring – former England goalkeeper David James had already thwarted him earlier on – in the 14th minute. Kagisho Dikgacoi's pass found him 40 yards out with his back to goal and with a superb turn, Zaha lost his marker before rifling the ball high into James' net from inside the area.

Palace bossed the opening stages, but only had the solitary goal to show for their efforts and the hosts grew into the game.

Julian Speroni parried Chris Wood's header away, Marvin Elliot's well-struck shot went straight into the keeper's arms and Stephen Pearson saw his 20-yard thunderbolt hit the bar as they ended the half the stronger of the two sides.

Although City had the early pressure in the second half, they couldn't penetrate Palace's stubborn defence and, thanks to the introduction of Glenn Murray for Jermaine Easter, the Eagles extended their lead.

Murray was hauled down by Liam Fontaine and, on the advice of his linesman, referee Lee Collins pointed to the spot.

Ambrose expertly converted the spot-kick and Palace looked to have done enough to claim the three points.

Pitman was summoned from the bench almost immediately by manager Derek McInnes and the change would prove to be pivotal.

The substitute, who had only been on the field seven minutes, curled a 25-yard free-kick around Palace's wall to give Speroni no chance to give the Ashton gate crowd hope.

City had their tails up and nearly equalised in the last minute when Wood's header looked to be creeping in, but Speroni spectacularly clawed the ball away.

Just when it looked as if Palace would be able to hold off the red tide, their resistance was broken by Pitman, who finished excellently with his left foot after the ball was partially cleared by the defence.