CRYSTAL Palace came back down to earth after Wednesday night's cup exploits when they were held by Derby at Selhurst Park this evening.

There were always going to be changes to the Palace side so soon after that historic win at Manchester United 48 hours earlier.

However, the fact manager Dougie Freedman made 10 was something of a surprise with Paddy McCarthy the only one to start in both games.

Despite the tired legs, it was Palace who started on the front foot as Darren Ambrose picked out fellow Old Trafford goal hero Glenn Murray, whose first minute shot was saved by Rams keeper Frank Fielding.

Owen Garvan tried to get on the end of the rebound and although he went to ground under the challenge of Gareth Roberts, the referee ignored claims for an early penalty for the hosts.

Derby went on to boss the opening exchanges without really troubling Eagles keeper Julian Speroni and despite dominating possession, they fell behind on the quarter hour when Peter Ramage found Chris Martin and the on-loan Norwich striker's 20-yard drive beat Fielding.

Ben Davies low free-kick straight at Speroni, while Ambrose's free-kick effort even from further out failed to trouble Fielding moments later at the opposite end.

Jeff Hendrick saw a 26th minute shot from outside of the area go well off target, while Speroni comfortably gathered Davies' dangerous looking delivery six minutes later.

Dekel Keinan did well to block Jamie Ward's long range shot, while Ambrose twice tested Fielding with efforts from outside of the area before the break.

Derby began the second half a completely unrecognisable side from the one which struggled so badly in the opening 45 minutes, with Craig Bryson seeing a shot blocked by Keinan.

James Bailey's 52nd minute volley from a corner sailed harmlessly wide and Murray's header was gathered by Fielding two minutes later.

Palace's defence had to deal with four corners in quick succession before the pressure was relieved when Tamas Priskin headed wide.

Davis made way for highly rated 15-year-old Mason Bennett, who at least doesn't have to get up early for school tomorrow morning.

Freedman waited until the 71st minute to make his first change as goal scorer Martin was replaced by Wilfried Zaha.

Derby's second half pressure was rewarded with 15 minutes remaining when they drew level, although the equaliser came in bizarre circumstances as Paul Green's cross was fired past Speroni by the outstretched leg of McCarthy.

The visitors could have gone ahead after Priskin's shot was blocked by McCarthy into the path of substitute Bennett, but his attempt at an overhead kick just failed to connect with the ball.

Calvin Andrew came off for Antonio Pedroza before Murray fired wildly over from 25-yards despite having Zaha ideally placed to his right.

Speroni made a decent save to deny Green in stoppage time but it would have been harsh on Palace had it gone in as the draw was arguably the fairest result after a proverbial game of two halves.

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Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ramage, McCarthy, Keinan, Parr, Ambrose, Garvan, Jedinak, Andrew (Pedroza 82), Martin (Zaha 71), Murray. Subs not used: Price, Clyne, Iversen. Att: 14,338.