A goal each in the first half saw Palace’s development side earn a 1-1 draw with Charlton at the Addicks’ Sparrows Lane training ground.
The first half ebbed and flowed but was sparked into life when a Sullay KaiKai free-kick looked set to nestle in the top corner of the Charlton goal, but Dillon Phillips managed to palm it away with a superb save. The home side looked dangerous on the break but numerous crosses were wasted without an end product, and Palace punished their lack of cutting edge when Ibra Sekajja did well down the left and sent a low cross into the area for Jake Gray to fire a stunning volley into the corner of the net and put Palace ahead.
Gary Issott named a youthful side, with Darcy Blake the only senior player in the squad, on his return from a nightmare few months on the treatment table. Their inexperience showed as Charlton worked some good openings but once again failed to convert their chances, with Tobi Sho-Silva particularly wasteful.
An even first half came to a close with some crunching tackles from both teams, with Blake and Dymond both making excellent interventions. Just as Palace thought they had adapted well to Charlton’s passing game they conceded an equaliser on the stroke of half time.
Despite an outstanding fingertip save from a header earlier in the match, David Gregory was unable to keep Jack Munns from finding the net after he saved well from Harry Gerard, Munns tucking home the rebound to make it 1-1 at half time.
The second half began with Charlton dominating possession but the Addicks were unable to break down Palace’s solid defensive lines. Palace then made three substitutions with Darcy Blake, Sullay KaiKai and Derek Tieku being replaced by Matt Parsons, Hiram Boateng and Nabil Guediora.
It was Guediora who nearly put Palace ahead but he failed to reach a delightful cross from Jake Gray. After Gregory made an excellent double save, Gray found himself with a golden opportunity from ten yards, but his shot cannoned back off the post.
A strong appeal from the Palace players for a penalty was waved away by referee Thomas Ramsey before Jack Munns received his marching orders for kicking out at Matt Parsons.
The Eagles pressed for a winner but were constantly denied by a combination of good defending, goalkeeping and the woodwork. Skipper Connor Dymond saw a header saved well in the dying seconds before Luke Croll hit the post with the rebound.
MOTM - Jake Gray.
Palace: Gregory, Gordon, Croll, Dymond (C), Taylor, Blake (Parsons), Gray, Sow, Tieku (Guediora), Sekajja, KaiKai (Boateng).
Charlton: Phillips, Holmes-Dennis, Lennon, Azeez, Sho-Silva, Gerard, Osborne, Poyet, Fox, Jordan (C), Munns.