VETERAN Irish duo Foster and Allen provided some suitable half-time entertainment at Coventry City's soggy Ricoh Arena with their rendition of Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore.
But it was the newly forged partnerships of Bell and McIndoe, and Barnett and Wood which gave City fans encouragement that some sunshine is lurking just over the horizon.
The wingers, together from the start for the first time since the opening day of the season, provided the Sky Blues with width and decent deliveries that gave the strikers some much needed service as Chris Coleman went back to a more orthodox 4-4-2.
And at the other end of the park, centre-backs Barnett and Wood coped admirably with big centre-forward Alan Lee as Coventry battled back from a goal down to earn a precious point against Palace.
Although Bell is clearly not fully match fit after finally putting his long-standing ankle worries behind him, he showed enough skill, experience, good use of the ball and crossing ability to warrant a place in the starting line-up for only the second time this season, and, remarkably, just his 10th since signing for the club from Norwich last January.
His inclusion also provided balance to the side and took the pressure off Michael McIndoe who finally began to flourish with arguably his best performance in a Coventry shirt to date.
