A goal in each half was enough to see the Eagles run out deserved 2-1 winner in this afternoon's clash at Selhurst Park.
Straight from the start Academy product Victor Moses got to the byline on the left wing and hit a low cross along the six yard box, the ball somehow got through to Tom Soares at the back post but he leant back and hit the goalscoring chance over the bar.
Another chance went begging on the ninth minute when a short throw to Ben Watson was hit back to Butterfield and his cross eluded the U's defence and found Lee Hills whose late run into the box saw him scuff a half volley across goal from 10 yards, but fortunately it finds Tom Soares and his attempted shot flies out for a corner.
With 20 minutes on the clock the deadlock was broken when Butterfield collected from a throw-on and delivered an inch perfect cross into the box and James Scowcroft tapped the ball home from two yards to give his side the lead at Selhurst Park.
Kevin Lisbie levelled the proceedings 60 seconds later when he was put through on goal after Shaun Derry's pass back to Matt Lawrence was intercepted by Clive Platt and Platt found Lisbie to his left. The former Charlton striker then smashed the ball into the bottom right corner from just inside the box.
A flurry of action inside the U's half took place with a third of the match gone. Ben Watson's thunderbolt free kick from 27 yards which was certain to find the net but for a deflection off a U's player in the wall, the ball luckily came back out to Hills whose cross found Watson's head but just went
Three minutes before the break Butterfield was unlocked on the right side after a glorious ball from Moses, the resulting cross found Morrison climbing in the air but his header at the front post from the six yards hit the bottom left upright.
Deep into stoppage time Victor Moses broke free in the U's half but was callously taken out by Kem Izzet from behind and wins a free kick for his side, with Izzet earning a yellow card for the misdeameanor.
From the set-piece Watson curled the ball towards the top left corner, the onrunning Morrison just fails to get anything on the ball and Dean Gerken reacts quickly to turn the ball round the right corner and out for a corner kick and ensure that the first half remained 1-1.
The Eagles got back on the attack straight from the restart when Tom Soares was put through on the right by Moses and his cross along the six yard box was slid out for a corner which Watson took and curled into the visiting custodian's arms.
A ball down wing on the 53rd minute by Butterfield found Scowcroft, the powerful striker wards of full back John White and his cross to Morrison see's the striker just get his head to the ball but unable to direct it downwards and is finally cleared by the visitors defence.
Dean Hammond headed wide for the U's three minutes later when a cross from the right allowed him to get above Butterfield but luckily the attempt on goal just goes wide of Speroni's right hand.
Ashley Robinson replaced Shaun Derry on the hour mark with the Palace youngster making is first home appearance for the club with just over half an hour of the tie remaining.
Seconds later the U's gave away a free kick and Watson floats the ball into the back post, Tom Soares heads across goal, but with the keeper diving to his left he manages to tip it onto the post and Morrison follows up to head the ball into the net, only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside.
Palace took the lead on the 73rd mintue thanks to midfield maestro Ben Watson sticking his leg in where it hurts. The 23 year old ran into the box and thanks to a fortuitous defelction from Ashley Paul's cross, Watson smashed the ball home from just outside the six yard box.
A U's substitution saw Kem Izzet replaced Medy Elito and two minutes later Lee Hills was replaced by Jose Fonte.
Victor Moses gave the ball away deep into his won half in the closing stages and saw the ball put into the net by Dean Hammond after Clive Platt stole the ball off Moses and the laid the ball across the box to Hammond who did not appear to be offside.
Moses was instantly replaced by Sean Scannell and was given a standing ovation by the crowd for a performance probably only blighted by the goal that was never given.
The man of the match announcement drew an excellent response from the fans when Victor Moses name was read out to the Selhurst faithful, just as much applause for when the final whistle was blown and all three points has been secured at Selhurst.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, Hill, Hills (Fonte 79), Moses (Scannell 84), Derry (Robinson 63), Watson, Soares, Scowcroft, Morrison.
Subs Not Used: Fletcher, Hughes.
Booked: Hill, Robinson.
Colchester: Gerken, Ifil, Coyne, Virgo, White, Duguid, Izzet (Elito 77), Hammond, Jackson, Platt (Vernon 87), Lisbie.
Subs Not Used: Bankole, Watson, Balogh.
Booked: White, Izzet, Lisbie.
Att: 13,895 Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire).
