01 / 28
The Palace under-23 side deservedly won against Queens Park Rangers on a dreary afternoon at Copers Cope.
The Eagles took an early lead through the boot of the industrious James Daly on seven minutes. The striker had made a bright start in the Beckenham gloom and took his first opportunity, powering the ball into the net from close range after Jarek Jach had headed a corner back across goal into his path.
Neither side had another clear cut chance until the Eagles struck again. A sustained spell of Palace pressure was rewarded on 22 minutes when Jason Lokilo curled an inviting cross towards the far post for Daly to thump a header into the net from close range.
Joe Tupper made a good save to deny the visitors on close range before Daly nearly grabbed his hat-trick at the other end, only to be denied by the goalkeeper Dieng and the base of the post.
A late chance for Levi Lumeka brought the first half to a close, with the winger narrowly missing the target with a rifled effort.
QPR came out swinging in the second half, but struggled to fashion anything clear cut and it wasn’t long before Palace and Daly grabbed a third.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka weighted a ball in from the right perfectly and Daly rose highest to guide a delightful header into the far top corner, killing any visiting hopes of a fight back.
Daly's third, on 55 minutes, was the last real action of the game and Palace went on to secure a comfortable three points to remain clear at the top of the table.
Palace: Tupper; Wan-Bissaka (Robertson, 67), Woods (c), Jach (O'Dwyer, 67), Brown; McGregor, Kirby, Rakip (Flanagan, 58); Lokilo, Lumeka; Daly.
Subs: Webber, Hungbo.
QPR: Dieng, Kakay, Williams, Phillips, Hamalainen, Owens, Manning, Christie-Davies, Tilt, Emmanuel-Thomas, Alfa.
Subs: Brzozowski, Dalling, Remy, Wallen.