Neil Warnock named his loan signing, Shaun Derry, in the starting eleven for this match against Colchester United. Both sides found themselves at the wrong end of the table going into this game with Palace looking for their first win in nine games whilst the home side are five matches without picking up maximum points. There was another introduction from the club's academy system as 17 year old Sean Scannell was selected as a substitute after a good return of goals at youth and reserve level.
Danny Granville lined up against his former team mates but there was only a place on the bench for Teddy Sheringham, back from suspension.
The visitors made the perfect start after just 6 minutes as Clinton Morrison drove home a cross from the right by James Scowcroft as goal number 101 for the striker gave his side the lead. Jose Fonte found Scowcroft and his pass was met by the lively striker who made no mistake from just inside the box.
A minute later and more bad news for the home side as centre half Pat Baldwin was shown the red card by referee Paul Taylor as he felled Paul Ifill as the midfielder was through on goal.
Warnock's side certainly started well and could have gone two up as Scowcroft saw his low shot well saved by Dean Gerken in the U's goal.
The home side needed to reorganise and Geraint Williams brought Matthew Connolly on at the expense of Kem Izzet on 11 minutes,
It was not until the first quarter hour that Williams saw an effort from his side as Johnnie Jackson found himself in space but he shot just over the bar not troubling Julian Speroni.
On 25 minutes a Matt Yates corner found Kevin Lisbie at the near post and his close range header struck the top of the bar as the home side tried to get themselves back in the game.
Two good saves from Speroni kept Palace ahead as he turned around the post an effort from Lisbie as the pacy striker beat his man on two occasions. The keeper then tipped over a header from the corner which followed the first save to continue his good form which he has shown of late.
The two sides went in at the break with the one goal the difference plus reduced numbers for the home side but Colchester will be disappointed they are not back on level terms having been denied by the 'keeper although Palace missed chances which would have sealed victory for them.
Palace had to make an early change at the start of the second half as Ifill pulled up with a leg injury and was replaced by Dave Martin. The home side were intent on continuing where they left off and Jackson saw a long range shot go just inches wide of Speroni's post.
At the other end the Warnock's side were having a fair share of possession without too many clear cut chances although Martin saw an effort go just over the bar and Ben Watson shot over from the edge of the box.
Colchester kept pushing forward and were always a threat with the pace in their side and Palace were grateful for a defensive block to deny Lisbie on the hour mark.
The equaliser did finally come on 69 minutes when Yates found the dangerous Jackson who drove home into the far corner past Speroni giving him no chance to do another about it,
It was not long though before Palace regained the lead as just five minutes later Morrison headed home his second of the game, He was at the far post to collect a header from Derry which went back across the face of goal and the striker made no mistake for his side to regain the lead,
Sheringham was introduced into the game as Williams tried to get something from the game and once again come from behind but the Palace defensive side of their game was added to with Danny Butterfield coming off the bench and chances were limited for the U's.
United could not get back into the game and four minutes of added time came and went as Palace recorded their first win in ten matches and Warnock showed his delight to the Palace fans at the end as this victory means four games unbeaten for his team.
Teams
Colchester Gerken, Duguid, Granville, Baldwin, Balogh, Yeates,Izzet (Connolly 11), Watson, Jackson, Platt (Guy 77),Lisbie (Sheringham 78).
Subs Not Used: Cousins, McLeod.
Sent Off: Baldwin (8). Booked: Yeates.
Crystal Palace Speroni, Lawrence, Fonte, Hudson, Hill,Ifill (Martin 52), Derry, Watson, Kennedy (Soares 74),Morrison (Butterfield 79), Scowcroft.
Subs Not Used: Scannell, Freedman.
Booked: Lawrence, Martin, Scowcroft.
Att: 5,856 Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).
