Town's reserves lost to an experienced Crystal Palace side 1-0 at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night. Sandor Torghelle scored the goal for the Eagles, who included Town loan target Shaun Derry in their starting line-up.

Blues' keeper Shane Supple got an early touch of the ball in the first minute when a Danny Butterfield throw caught out the Town defence, but captain Neil Shipperley shot straight at the Irish stopper.

Palace were attacking Town and their midfield was winning most 50-50 balls, and Danny Butterfield's fierce drive and Tom Soares' volley wide were both struck within 19 minutes.

Town's first real shot on goal came on 22 when Pablo Couñago turned Mikele Leigertwood and Mark Hudson, before firing a shot just wide.

Supple had to be quick off his line after a teasing cross from Butterfield allowed Shipperley to head into the path of Danze, but the keeper arrived first to save Town.

But in the 36th minute the Eagles did take the lead. Leigertwood charged out of defence with the ball and sprayed a David Beckham-like ball to Danze on the left, who passed the ball into Town's six-yard box where Hungarian Sandor Torghelle slid in to make it 1-0.

Town made their first substitution in the sixth minute of the second half, Liam Craig replacing Adem Atay.

Torghelle came close to a second goal but saw his overhead kick deflect off a defender and wide. Town loan target Shaun Derry made way for Tommy Black in the 56th minute.

Town rarely looked like scoring an equaliser despite some bright moments, their best chance coming when Couñago got to a loose ball in the area but shot wide. On 72 minutes young Irish striker Billy Clarke replaced the Spaniard, while 16-year-old Darryl Knights took over from Antonio Murray.

Palace could have wrapped the game up with 13 minutes remaining, both Soares and Lakis failing to convert Black's cross.

Two minutes later sub Clarke was close to a goal but Cronin prevented the equaliser. Late on, Shipperley header deflected wide.

Town: Supple, Atay (Craig 51), Sobers, Mitchell, Collins, Richards, Murray (Knights 72), Manning, Garvan, Couñago (Clarke 72), Bowditch. Not used: Patten, Flack.

Photo: Action Images

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