After the drama and excitement of the FA Cup attention turned back to league with a visit to Scunthorpe United. The first meeting of the season saw The Iron running out surprise 4-0 winners at Selhurst Park and that day has been called by Neil Warnock a turning point of the campaign for the club.

The home side soon showed their intentions with two breakaways in the opening minutes. Garry Thompson crossed from the right which fell to Donal McDermott but he miss hit his shot and the ball went out for a goal kick. Less than a minute later the home side broke clear again but Shaun Derry was this time on hand to clear the cross and the danger.

The first save of the afternoon was made by Julian Speroni on ten minutes when he got down well to save well from Thompson as the winger picked up the ball and run on before shooting at the target.

The home side will be disappointed they didn't break the deadlock with two further good chances. Cliff Bynre crossed the ball over to Grant McCann but he fired the chance over the bar and then from just yards out Byrne had his own opportunity but put the chance wide of the target.

A dominate first half an hour also saw McDermott flash a shot wide of Speroni's left hand post.

Four cautions in the opening half of the game as Alan Lee gets yellow for a foul on David Mirfin, just minutes after having a header on target saved by Joe Murphy. Danny Butterfield is soon shown a card for a challenge on Paul Hayes and from the melee afterwards both Derry and Hayes are also booked by referee Paul Tierney.

In added time Palace had a late chance as Neil Danns twisted his man on the left hand side and crossed but as it run across the face of goal Darren Ambrose just failed to get on the end of the opportunity.

The second half started in familiar fashion as the first with an opening straight away for the home side. Hooper got clear of his man down the wing and put the cross over with Hayes coming into the box but the ball goes behind both him and Nathaniel Clyne who was back to avert the danger.

Two more cautions as Rob Jones is booked for a foul on Danns and then Lawrence is shown the same for a foul on Hooper.

The resulting free kick saw Speroni make a diviing save to deny McDermott who fired in a shot from just outside the box.

Just past the hour mark and Palace break the deadlock and it's Ambrose with his 15th goal of the season. His corner went to Derry who returned the pass and he made no mistake firing past Murphy from just inside the box to give his side the advantage.

A change was soon made from the bench as Djilali replaced Butterfield a minute later.

The home side had a great chance to bring the scores level but Hooper shot into the side netting with Speroni to beat.

The Iron were soon reduced in numbers as Marcus Williams brought down Djilali as he was clear through and another card was produced by Tierney but this time it was red.

Palace now enjoyed their best spell of the match with Djilali shooting wide and another sub, Calvin Andrew seeing his shot deflected wide of the target.

The home side though did soon get back on level terms with six minutes remaining as a corner was swung over by sub Forte and a header at the near post by Mirfin went over the last defender on the line.

But in added time there was late drama for the 500 visiting fans behind the goal Palace were attacking.

Neil Danns grabbed a 93rd minute winner after Clyne collected a pass on the right from Derry on the right side of the box. With men in the box Danns elected to cut inside and hit a curling shot into the bottom left corner, leaving the Irons keeper Joe Murphy with no chance.

Palace complete back to back wins and pick up another three towards making up the lost ten.

Teams:

Scunthorpe Murphy, Byrne, Jones, Mirfin, Williams,Thompson (Forte 70), McCann, Togwell (O'Connor 82),McDermott (Moloney 78), Hayes, Hooper.

Subs Not Used: Lillis, Raynes, Josh Wright, Woolford.

Sent Off: Williams (72).

Booked: Hayes, Jones, Byrne.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Clyne, Hill, Lawrence (Hills 90),Davis, Derry, Ambrose, Carle, Lee (Andrew 74),Butterfield (Djilali 64), Danns.

Subs Not Used: John, Scannell, Comley, N'Diaye.

Booked: Lee, Derry, Butterfield, Lawrence, Davis.

Att: 7,543  Referee : Paul Tierney (Lancashire).