Both sides went into this evening kick-off knowing that whichever side took maximum points they would be in the top six after the games played earlier in the afternoon.

Palace were boosted by the pre-match news that Paddy McCarthy had made the game even though he was set to miss out due to a dislocated shoulder which he suffered seven days ago whilst the only other change saw Sean Scannell come in for Leandre Griffit.

For the home side Darius Henderson starts a three match suspension after a sending off seven days ago.

Kevin Blackwell's side went into this one without a win in their last home three matches but had an early chance to break the deadlock. On four minutes Danny Webber did well to get a cross in which fell to Stephen Quinn but he could only get the slightest of touches towards goal and Nathanial Clyne cleared the danger.

Two early cautions by referee Paul Taylor, a booking for Nick Montgomery after a late challenge on Jose Fonte whilst the same punishment was given to Shaun Derry for a challenge on Quinn some minutes later.

Just before the half hour mark Palace had their best of their early opportunities as John Oster was set clear in space by Nick Carle but the midfielder shot wide of Paddy Kenny's post with a powerful shot from the right hand side of the box.

Shefki Kuqi was the second Palace player to go into the officials note book and from the resulting free kick James Beattie shot from distance was held at the second attempt by Julian Speroni.

The opening goal of the afternoon came as Quinn's header forward was put into the path of Nathan Dyer who made no mistake as he shot low past Speroni into the corner of the net four minutes before the break.

Palace nearly responded straight away as a shot was powerfully struck left footed by Nick Carle but Paddy Kenny turned the effort over the bar.

Two minutes of added time didn't see any further chances to each side and that late strike separated the two sides at the break.

One change at the break as Alan Lee replaced Shefki Kuqi in the front line for the visitors.

Just minutes into the half and the scores were level as a John Oster corner found its way to McCarthy and he made no mistake as he beat Kenny from close range. Two goals in three games from the centre half and the perfect  start to the second half for Neil Warnock on his return to south Yorkshire.

Oster was soon involved again as his volley at goal went just wide after he was found just outside the box by Carle.

A further change was made by Warnock eleven minutes into the half as Victor Moses came on for Paul Ifill.

Just over the hour mark United have their best chance of an open second half as Matthew Kilgallon crosses to the near post and Webber head just inches wide of the target.

It was only minutes later that there was more danger and it was from a Quinn free kick but as it came across the box Webber headed the ball on but it was well held by Speroni under pressure from Ugo Ehiogu.

On 68 minutes it was Palace's turn at the other end to come close to changing the scoreline as an Oster free kick came back off the wall and fell to Derry, his strike hit the crossbar but the rebound was put over by McCarthy from close range.

The game was really flowing from one end to the other and it was the home sides chance this time. Nick Montgomery played the ball into the box and, with the Palace backline appealing for offside, it was Ehiogu who turned and shot wide.

Kenny kept his side on level terms with a save from Moses as he got on the end of a cross from Lee and the 'keeper did well to save from the wingers flick on as the ball came across the box.

With just three minutes remaining on the clock the referee decided that McCarthy had unfairly challenged Beattie for the ball in the air and pointed to the spot. The same player stepped up to convert the chance and put the ball into the roof of the net giving Speroni no chance.

Time was now running out for the visitors even though four minutes of added time was given. Lee did well to work his way through a couple of defenders but the ball wouldn't quite sit right for him to get the right shot in on goal.

The game is never over though until that final whistle and Palace kept going and it was right into the final minute of added time when Carle made the perfect strike inside the box as the home defence failed to clear a long ball upfield by Derry. Carle made no mistake beating Kenny as the ball dropped to him and sent the Palace players, management and fans into wild celebration.

That shows how important they felt getting something here was in a game which was typical of a Warnock team, one that never gives up and they got their reward.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Morgan, Kilgallon, Ehiogu, Naughton, Montgomery, Howard (Halford 90), Quinn, Dyer (Stokes 72), Beattie, Webber (Cotterill 77).

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Sharp.

Booked: Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Fonte, McCarthy, Hill, Oster (Butterfield 79), Derry, Carle, Ifill (Moses 56), Kuqi (Lee 46), Scannell.

Subs Not Used: Lawrence, Griffit.

Booked: Derry, Kuqi, Hill.

Att: 23,045    Referee: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).