CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Morrison 90) LEEDS UNITED 0
Palace: Kiraly, Granville, Hudson, Cort, McAnuff, Scowcroft, Watson (Freedman 46), Kennedy, Soares (Morrison 73), Butterfield, Fletcher. Subs: Flinders, Lawrence, Borrowdale.
United: Warner, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey, Stone (Carole 90), Derry, Westlake, Healy (Moore 76), Horsfield (Sent Off 14), Lewis (Richardson 75). Subs: Gregan, Blake.
Ref: Rob Styles
A late Clinton Morrison goal broke Leeds United hearts at Selhurst Park after a gutsy display by Kevin Blackwell's men in London.
United were forced into a dramatic re-shuffle at Selhurst Park less than 15 minutes into the contest when striker Geoff Horsfield received his marching orders - but were on course to collect a deserved point up until Morrison's late strike.
Horsfield received a straight red card from referee Rob Styles after an off-the-ball incident involving Palace defender Mark Hudson. It was a decision which ultimately changed the course of the contest.
United manager Kevin Blackwell had made one change from the side which drew at QPR on Tuesday with Ian Westlake coming in for his first start in place of the injured Eirik Bakke.
The Leeds boss had also tinkered with system and started with a 4-3-3, but following the controversial early departure of Horsfield, David Healy moved up to a lone striking role as United's plans were altered.
If the sending off had rocked Leeds it didn't show, though, and the Whites almost snatched an early lead. First, Eddie Lewis volleyed a cross against the upright before Healy, following up, had a shot blocked by the legs of Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.
However, with Palace holding the numerical advantage, they also created a couple of decent chances for Jobi McAnuff. The former Cardiff winger headed wide under pressure from Matthew Kilgallon and spooned another shot over the bar when he tried his luck from distance.
At the other end, Healy had a shot deflected to safety, but clear-cut chances were at a premium during the first half. As at Palace last season, United looked comfortable at the back and, despite the loss of Horsfield, were a threat on the counter-attack during the opening 45 minutes.
It was a highly encouraging opening from 10-man Leeds with the middle three of Westlake, Steve Stone and Shaun Derry providing plenty of running and invention.
Yet, it was Palace who threatened first after the break when an untracked Leon Cort should have done better with a far post header. United goalkeeper Tony Warner also got down well to make a smart save from Dougie Freedman after the Palace substitute worked himself a good opening.
Derry had a good opportunity for Leeds following a Stone corner, but he headed over the top with the goal at his mercy.
The home side responded quickly, though, and Warner was called upon again to beat away a powerful drive from Mark Kennedy as the Eagles enjoyed a good spell of pressure. The introduction of Freedman livened up Palace and Kilgallon and Paul Butler also made a couple of decisive blocks before Warner produced another good stop.
But United's feathers were never seriously ruffled and with 15 minutes left on the clock, Blackwell introduced Frazer Richardson and Ian Moore to proceedings in the hope of forcing the issue.
Palace had a chance to steal the points with just three minutes remaining when Clinton Morrison picked out Freedman, but Warner made another fine save to deny the onrushing marksman for the third time since his arrival as a sub.
Moments later, though, United hearts were cruelly broken when Morrison showed good skill to fire home from close range after some good build-up play.
Att: 17,218
