Zrinjski 1-1 Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr scores but Palace held on frustrating night

Crystal Palace failed to make their dominance count as they were held to a draw by Zrinjski Mostar in the first leg of their Conference League play-off tie.

The Eagles enjoyed more than 70% possession and appeared on course for a first knockout win in a major European competition when Ismaila Sarr struck two minutes before half-time.

But the hosts punished a sloppy start to the second half from Oliver Glasner’s side in the 55th minute as Karlo Abramovic fired past Dean Henderson to leave the tie evenly poised ahead of next week’s second leg at Selhurst Park.

After a weekend without FA Cup action resulted in an eight-day break between fixtures for Palace, manager Glasner was able to name a strong line-up featuring Adam Wharton, Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The visitors started brightly and could have been ahead inside seven minutes when Sarr volleyed at Goran Karacic.

England international Wharton saw a shot whistle past the post soon after as the Premier League side continued their lively start.

Palace had the ball in the back of the net in the 12th minute as Sarr capitalised on a loose ball and finished neatly from six yards out.

However, the goal was quickly ruled out as defender Chris Richards came from an offside position to cross the ball to the Senegal international at the back post.

Zrinjski responded to the early pressure with a rare attack of their own down the right which required a last-ditch intervention from defender Daniel Munoz.

The hosts threatened again six minutes before the break through Antonio Ivancic, who blazed over after a wonderful cushioned header from Mario Cuze.

But it was Palace who made the breakthrough in the 43rd minute as a crisp first touch from new signing Strand Larsen set the ball up for Sarr to curl home his third goal of the Conference League campaign.

But nine minutes into the second half and a sloppy pass from Wharton allowed Zrinjski to level as Abramovic rifled his shot into the far corner after a perfectly-weighted pass from Leo Mikic.

Wharton did come agonisingly close to making amends with his first goal for the club, striking the crossbar from range in the final 20 minutes.

Glasner was visibly frustrated on the touchline as his side failed to turn their dominance into a winning goal, with an unmarked Richards heading wide from inside the box after meeting Wharton’s corner.

Things could have gone from bad to worse for the Premier League side in the 81st minute as the referee went to pitchside monitor to check an alleged handball against Munoz.

But the decision went Palace’s way and both sides will head into next week’s second leg at Selhurst Park level.