CRYSTAL Palace’s disastrous start to the season continued last night when they were dumped out of the League Cup in a heavy defeat at League One Preston.

The evening started badly for last year’s semi-finalists as they fell behind in only the second minute to Nicky Wroe’s early opener.

Former Charlton striker Akpo Sodje doubled Preston’s advantage before Aaron Wilbraham gave Palace a lifeline in the 37th minute.

However, Jeffrey Monakana restored the home side’s two-goal cushion four minutes before the break and Palace’s humiliation was completed in the 63rd minute as Wroe added his second of the evening to complete the rout.

Dougie Freedman made several changes for the tie but admitted this was no excuse for his side slumping to yet another loss.

The Selhurst boss said: “These are experienced players who have played in the Championship and played at a decent level so you'd like to think they're capable of doing decent jobs, but right now we need to have a look in the mirror.

“In the first 15 minutes we were very sloppy.

“We're at a point right now where if we don't stop crosses and defend the crosses that do come in, we give ourselves no chance.

“The first 15 minutes settled the tie.

“We changed at half-time and I had no qualms with the players I took off, but we needed to change shape.

“We attacked well after the break and I felt we had a couple of opportunities to make the game a lot closer but in both boxes we let ourselves down.”

It is back to the Championship on Saturday for Crystal Palace as they entertain high-flying Sheffield Wednesday at Selhurst Park, kick-off 3pm.

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