Crystal Palace frustrated as Zrinjski’s second-half surge cancels out Sarr opener | OneFootball

Crystal Palace were held to a 1-1 draw by Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia as the hosts came from behind to leave the Conference League play-off tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg at Selhurst Park.

Oliver Glasner’s side dominated possession for long spells and enjoyed more than 70 per cent of the ball, but they failed to turn their control into a decisive advantage.

Palace started brightly and should have taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Ismaila Sarr forced Goran Karacic into a sharp save.

Adam Wharton then saw a follow-up effort sail over as the Premier League side continued to push.

Sarr thought he had broken the deadlock in the 12th minute when he finished from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Chris Richards in the build-up.

Zrinjski absorbed the pressure and gradually grew into the contest, with Antonio Ivancic blazing over from a promising position late in the first half.

Palace finally made their dominance count two minutes before the break.

New signing Jorgen Strand Larsen produced a clever first touch to tee up Sarr, who fired home his third goal of the Conference League campaign.

The visitors appeared in control at the interval, but a sloppy start to the second half allowed the hosts back into the match.

A misplaced pass in midfield was seized upon by Leo Mikic, who released Karlo Abramovic to drill a precise finish beyond Dean Henderson in the 55th minute.

The equaliser lifted Zrinjski and unsettled Palace, who suddenly looked vulnerable despite their earlier authority.

Wharton came close to restoring the lead when his long-range effort struck the crossbar with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Richards then headed wide from a corner as Palace searched for a late winner.

Zrinjski threatened to turn the tie on its head when Matej Sakota tested Henderson, and there was further tension when a potential handball against Daniel Munoz was checked by the referee.

The decision went Palace’s way after a pitchside review, sparing them from conceding a penalty in the closing stages.

Despite their territorial dominance, Palace were left frustrated as they failed to secure a first-leg victory.

The tie now heads to South London level, with Glasner’s side needing a sharper performance at home to ensure progress in their maiden European knockout campaign.