Crystal Palace 1 Derby 1 (Butterfield 45)

(Powell OG 74)

Darren Powell’s commanding defensive display counted for nothing on Tuesday as he deflected into his own net and saw red late on during a disappointing night for Palace.

Powell’s frustration at handing Derby a lifeline by miscuing Luciano Zavagno’s cross past Cedric Berthelin on 74 minutes, resulted in a untimely swipe through substitute Marcus Tudgay and a second booking in injury time.

Most of the 14,344 spectators inside Selhurst Park shared his irritation, as Palace drew a game they could have won at a canter.

One change from the Cardiff match saw Kit Symons recalled for the suspended Hayden Mullins, and Palace started with the confidence of a winning side.

With just minutes gone Dougie Freedman ran clean through the Derby defence to control a superb Powell pass but just as he was about to pull the trigger, the fleet-footed Richard Jackson made a superb covering tackle.

Tommy Black went on a mazy run from his new berth on the left flank.

And Neil Shipperley, rejuvenated by the captain’s arm-band was a marauding presence up front.

But Derby did look threatening with what possession they had. On-loan Portuguese winger Candido Costa twice troubled Berthelin with long-range efforts. And 17-year-old Lee Morris should have done better than to scuff wide from 15 yards.

But these were rare chances in a half Palace controlled. And as the break approached, a sustained spell of pressure resulted in Danny Butterfield scoring his second goal of the season.

Andy Oakes flapped at Shaun Derry’s deep corner and Butterfield stepped onto the bouncing loose to crack a shot home through a crowd of players from the right-hand side of the box.

Costa was a thorn in Palace’s side all evening and could have equalised early in the second half, but side-footed straight at Berthelin. On 70 minutes his turn past Darren Powell saw the defender cynically halt the break and earn his first booking.

Derby keeper Andy Oakes saved well from a Neil Shipperley header, but the visitors finally made a breakthrough in the 74th minute as Zavagno broke down the left, drove across goal and saw Powell deflect it past Berthelin.

Kember brought on Ben Watson for Michael Hughes, and the 18-year-old handed Wayne Routledge a guilt-edged chances moments later.

Controlling a loose ball in midfield, Watson turned on a six-pence and played Routledge clean through, 12 yards to the right of goal. Routledge however hit the chance high over the bar.

As Palace piled forward, Watson then had his chance, when he hit Black’s cunning pull-back over the bar with his left foot.

Freedman was then unlucky in stoppage time as his shot came back off the outside of the post, but it was not to be Palace’s night, as Powell was sent off in the 92nd minute.