NEIL Warnock was content after his side’s 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday despite Crystal Palace failing to win in four attempts.

The Eagles hit back in the second half through a Ben Watson penalty after Leon Clarke fired the visitors ahead early on.

And Warnock blamed his side’s inability to keep out the opposition for their failure to build on the convincing 3-0 victory against Barnsley a fortnight ago.

He explained: “I think we’ve got to get back to clean sheets again.

“The goals we’ve conceded in the past four or five games have been very poor and amateurish.

“In the first half we couldn’t relax, but in the second half we dominated.

“They had some good opportunities on the counter, but we had some great ones.

“At least we gave the crowd something to cheer about in the last half hour because it was chucking it down and they deserve every credit and so do the Sheffield Wednesday lot as well.”

Warnock revealed he had some harsh words for his players after a disappointing midweek defeat against Nottingham Forest.

He said: “I shouldn’t be doing it at my age, I should just be enjoying myself but things needed saying and they were still nervous today.

“But once we relaxed, that is more like us.

“I want us to entertain and I think in the last half hour we did well.

“It was end-to-end but we kept the ball, got it wide, got crosses in and got in around the back and that is what it’s all about.”

Watson had a chance in the second half to double his goal tally on the day, but was let down by poor control and Warnock insists the club are trying everything possible to keep the midfield ace at Selhurst Park.

He said: “Ben’s first touch into the box was great, but the second one was more like an elephant.

“We’ve made Ben a great offer. It’s the best offer anyone has ever had here in my time at the club and it’s still on the table.”

The Eagles had some good late opportunities to convert one point into three, but youngsters Sean Scannell and Calvin Andrew failed to find the net.

Palace currently sit two points ahead of Charlton, who occupy the last of the relegation places, but Warnock continues to look forward rather than towards their rivals in SE7.

He said: “This league is such a wide open league and I want to be in the other end of the table really, so I’m disappointed that it looks like we are going to have to have another run like last year to do that.

“I think we’re better than last year, but we need everybody fit to be fighting on all fronts.

“But there’s not a lot wrong and the fans know that we’re trying our hardest.

“We’ve got limited funds, but every club has in the Championship. We’ve got enough to keep us moving forward but it’s not our funds that cost us the first goal it was bad marking.”