Young Eagles crash out of cup

January 7 2012

A youthful Crystal Palace side exited the FA Cup with a 1-0 defeat at Derby.

Palace boss Dougie Freedman fielded a depleted eleven with some players ill with a virus, while others were rested ahead of Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final clash against Cardiff.

Freedman made seven changes from the side that lost to Leicester last time out and in the end Theo Robinson's ninth minute goal proved to be the difference between the Championship teams.

The Rams got off to a great start with just nine minutes gone on the clock as Jamie Ward's cross was put away by Robinson at the second attempt after Palace goalkeeper Lewis Price had saved his initial strike.

Price made a good save to keep out a 25-yard effort from Robinson shortly after, before Ward tried his luck from distance and Price parried another long-range shot from Robinson.

Young Mexican Antonio Pedroza rifled just past the post for the Eagles, while Ward and Callum Ball went close for the home club.

After the break, Ball and Craig Bryson had chances and Price had to push over Paul Green's header at the back post from Ward's corner.

Palace's best opportunity of forcing a replay came when Calvin Andrew put a header over the bar late on.

Derby: Fielding, Brayford, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, Green, Bryson, Bailey, Ward, Robinson, Ball (Buxton 89).

Not Used: Legzdins, Tyson, Maguire, Doyle, Ben Davies, Naylor.

Palace: Price, Dumbuya, Ramage, Egan, Parsons, O'Keefe, Wright (Sekajja 76), Garvan, Pedroza (Iversen 64), Andrew, De Silva (Cadogan 65).

Not Used: Fitzsimons, Parr, Wynter, Daniel.

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2011/12 squad stats

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