Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca RECAP - Updates from first leg of UEFA Conference League last-16 clash

Crystal Palace’s wayward finishing came back to haunt them, as they were left frustrated in a 0-0 draw against AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League last-16 tie.

The Eagles, beaten 1-0 when these two teams met in the league phase, looked to seize the initiative from the off, but saw Evann Guessand and Jorgen Strand Larsen have early strikes saved.

Zlatan Alomerovic then made a stunning stop to ensure the two teams were level at half-time, racing across his line and making himself big to deny Tyrick Mitchell at the back post.

The chances dried up after the break, with the hosts taking until the 74th minute to create one of note, when Chris Richards met a deep corner with a powerful header, but nodded over the bar.

Jean Philippe-Mateta, who received some boos as he made his return from a six-week injury lay off, also had a poke forwards saved, as neither team proved capable of finding a break-through.

It means it is all to play for heading into the second leg in Cyprus next week, as Larnaca - who only had one shot across the entire night - maintained their unbeaten Conference League record this season and will be the happier of the two teams.

Here's a bit more from Johnson, who's trying not to get too down.

"I think we're in the exact same position as we were going into this game.

"Even though it's two legs, we'll look back and see what we can do better in this game, but at the end of the day, we go into the next leg 0-0, all to play for.

"We're confident, we know what we can do and we have to execute that."

Brennan Johnson has spoken to TNT Sports. He says: "The feeling's definitely disappointment.

"It wasn't a game of loads of chances, but we thought we had a couple that we were unlucky not to score.

"It would have been nice to get the lead, and then you don't know where the game goes.

"Overall, disappointment. It's tough to look back at the game straight after and see what the problem was with creating.

"But at the end of the day, it's 0-0. We can't have our heads held too low, because next week we've got a big game and one that we'll be ready for."

Tomkins has also been speaking about the reception Mateta got when he came on.

"Slightly [surprised at the boos], just because, in this game especially, they needed a goal.

"It's not the sort of reception you'd want, just coming on to try and get a goal for the team.

"But you can half understand the situation the he put himself into. It's just a matter of getting over that now.

"Next time he comes out to play, it will be completely different. There's just going to be some frustrated fans around given the situation."

TNT Sports expert Joleon Lescott adds: "I don't remember a sustained number of chances. They were all isolated.

"Whether the 'keeper's made saves or it was going out for goal-kicks, I think the more sustained pressure they had, whether it was a shot, it comes back out, they recycle it out wide and it goes back in again, that's when you build momentum and confidence within the group.

"They'll be frustrated. A lot of the chances were good."

Former Palace defence James Tomkins is on TNT Sports duty tonight.

He says: "They'll be disappointed. They'd have liked to have taken a lead into the next leg.

"They created many chances. It's not a lack of that, [or] a lack of effort. Just that cutting edge to cut them out.

"They didn't find that other thing that they needed to break them down.

"They were frustrated. They knew what they [Larnaca] were going to bring. They were going to frustrate and sit back a little bit.

"Disappointing for them. They would have liked to have taken a couple of goals lead for sure."

Nottingham Forest have not had a good night in their home game against Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League.

The Tricky Trees have been beaten 1-0 at the City Ground. Click here for a round-up of the action.

The second leg of this last-16 tie takes place at the AEK Arena a week today, but it's a 17:45pm kick off in Cyprus on Thursday 19 March.

Don't forget, you'll be able to watch live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Palace have now failed to score in both their matches against Larnaca this season, having lost 1-0 when they faced each other in the league phase.

The visitors, on the other hand, remain unbeaten in this competition, with three wins and four draws from their seven matches.

And there goes the final whistle. A thoroughly frustrating night for Oliver Glasner and his side. They had more than enough chances to win it, but ultimately were not clinical enough when it mattered.

It will be all to play for when the two teams meet again in Cyprus next week!

That's all Palace have left to find a winner

More excellent work down the left by Mitchell, who puts a low ball in for Mateta. The sub, in turn, tees up Guessand, but he's slipping as he shoots and manages to commit a foul in unleashing an effort in which he barely makes contact with the ball

Brennan Johnson's night is over. Yeremy Pino comes on for him.

Robert Mudrazijia and Charalambos Kyriakou are on.

Garcia and Rohden come off

There's a roar from the home supporters as their side pick the ball up in their own half. They are desperate to see men thrown forward in these final few minutes

There's still a second leg to come, but Palace will be desperate to take a lead to Cyprus. At the moment, Larnaca will be by far the happier of the two teams.

A cross is deflected into the substitute's pass off Guessand, but his prod forwards it too close to the goalkeeper. There is not much more the striker could have done with that, in fairness, as he reacted quickly from point-blank range.

Palace make their first sub, and there are both cheers and boos as Mateta is brought on for his first appearance since late January. He replaces Strand Larsen.

That's the closest Palace have come since hate break! A brilliant corner is floated to Richards at the back post. He climbs high and heads it back across goal, but it goes narrowly over the bar.