Both sides recorded away victories to secure their place in the fourth round as Palace travelled to Molineux to face Premiership new boys Wolves.
Mick McCarthy made seven changes to his starting line up from their last top flight encounter whilst Palace were without cup tied Lee Hills and were also missing fellow left back Clint Hill.
The best possible start to the afternooon for Palace as they took advantage in the tie in just the opening minute. The first corner of the afternoon was sent over by Darren Ambrose and this was met perfectly by Alan Lee, who headed the ball home between Wayne Hennessey and the crossbar to put the Championship side ahead.
Palace soon had another opportunity just past the quarter hour mark to increase thier lead, Ambrose was played through by Alassane N'Diaye and turned his man but saw his shot saved by Hennessey.
There was a long break in play as Claude Davis received treatment from both physios and the stadium medical staff after he landed on the ground following an aerial challenge. After a six minute break he left the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Matt Lawrence.
The opening half hour only saw a couple of openings from the home side as they looked to bounce back from the early set back. Shots by Sam Vokes and David Jones being the pick of them but both were easily claimed by Julian Speroni.
It was not long though before the match was back on level terms, a chance the 'keeper could do nothing about. A cross from Kevin Foley was played back across by Andrew Surman to Jones who made no mistake with a left footed shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.
Ambrose once again went close for Palace as his free kick from distance went just wide of Hennessey's right hand post with the midfielder showing the threat he poses from set pieces.
Wolves had two corners and N'Diaye headed over for Palace in six minutes of added time at the end of a half in which both sides could not be seperated.
The second half started in similar style to the first as Palace took the upper hand and it was down to another great set piece from Ambrose. From a free kick just outside the box he curled the ball around the wall and past Hennessey at full stretch into the bottom corner of the net to regain the lead for his side.
The home side had a good chance to get an instant reply on 56 minutes but Surman's shot from inside the box was saved low down by Speroni.
McCarthy made double substitution just past the hour mark as Ebanks Blake was replaced by Kevin Doyle and new signing Bia Mujangi came on for Surman.
Doyle nearly had an immediate impact on proceedings as he got on the end of a Jones free kick but saw his header hit the bar and come back out into play.
The match winner from the last round, Calvin Andrew, was introduced to the action by Warnock for Lee with twelve minutes remaining.
A great opportunity went begging for the home side as the minutes counted down. Christophe Berra will not know how he didnt put a chance away as he was stood right in front of goal but somehow put the opportunity over the bar. Minutes later Derry then heads over the bar to concede a corner as the home side put late pressure on the Eagles.
The scores were indeed soon level as that pressure paid off with an excellent volley by Roland Zubar which gave Speroni no chance with six minutes remaining.
In added time chances for both sides as Ambrose had a chance to grab the victory for the visitors but put his shot wide and then Mujangi shot over just before the referee called the match to a finish.
The tie goes to a replay at Selhurst Park on Tuesday 2nd February 2010, kick-off 8.00pm.
Teams:
Wolverhampton Hennessey, Zubar, Berra, Mancienne,Elokobi (Stephen Ward 72), Foley, Henry, David Jones,Surman (Mujangi Bia 63), Ebanks-Blake (Doyle 63), Vokes.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Craddock, Iwelumo, Milijas.
Crystal Palace Speroni, Butterfield, Davis (Lawrence 22),Ertl, Clyne, Ambrose, Danns, Derry, N'Diaye, Moses,Lee (Andrew 78).
Subs Not Used: Djilali, Comley, Carle.
Att: 14,449 Referee : Chris Foy (Merseyside).
