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Neil Warnock salutes Julian Speroni after he preserved a 0-0 draw with Burnley

Image: Palace boss Neil Warnock applauded the performance of Julian Speroni

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock heaped praise on goalkeeper Julian Speroni after he produced a late penalty save in the 0-0 draw with Burnley.

The south Londoners started the game strongly as Scott Dann hit the bar and Dwight Gayle spurned some early opportunities at Selhurst Park.

But Burnley gradually got a grip on the game and were awarded an 86th minute spot kick when Mile Jedinak hauled down Lukas Jutkiewicz in the box.

Speroni had earlier kept out a thunderous shot from Scott Arfield and he denied the defender again, pushing away his well struck penalty.

"He does them every week, that's why he's been here so long," said Warnock. "I think they broke the mould when he came, he's a one off.

"I don't think I've ever heard him shout; he's a gem of a person as well.

"He trains like that every day.

"He didn't have a lot to do today and then he pulls off something like that."

Warnock revealed how Wilfried Zaha suffered a knock in training, while Mile Jedinak played through the pain after Joe Ledley sustained an injury in the warm-up.

"If we'd have got a goal in the first half it would have opened up," he said.

"Wilfried came off injured in training on Thursday after he went over on his ankle.

"All credit to him because I never thought he would make it.

"You could see that Jedinak wasn't himself in the second half, but that's the typical Australian in him.

"He knew Ledley was struggling so he stayed on, but he'll be all right for next week."

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