Palace exited the League Cup after reaching the semi-finals, losing 3-1 in a penalty shoot out against Championship rivals Cardiff City.

The Eagles entered the game with a one goal advantage thanks to Anthony Gardner's effort in the first leg at Selhurst and it was the centre-back, head held firmly in his hands, his digits covering the agony on his face, who scored the only goal from open play in the second leg. Unfortunately for Palace it came at the wrong end and levelled the aggregate score taking the game to penalties.

As expected, it was the home team that took control of the game from early on and they didn't have to wait long before they saw the ball in the back of Julian Speroni's net.

Seven minutes in Don Cowie received a ball wide to the right and promptly whipped a dangerous cross low into the Palace box. Gardner lunged to try and stamp out the danger, but only managed to deflect the cross into his own goal.

A Cardiff team filled with attacking intent then laid siege to the Palace goal, but Speroni was equal to shots from Peter Whittingham and Kenny Miller. Aron Gunnarsson saw a headed effort sail over the bar.

Miller came close again several times before the end of the first half, narrowly putting the ball wide numerous times.

Wilfried Zaha, playing on the left wing, put in Palace's best attacking display of the half. Drawing several fouls from the Cardiff right-back who could do little else to stop the youngster passing him.

After the break Palace seemed to have a renewed vigour, but the game soon slipped back into the Cardiff attack, Palace defend routine we'd seen in the first half. Whittingham, again, coming close to widening the margin firing wide and having a freekick tipped over the bar by Speroni.

Paddy McCarthy then saved the Eagles, clearing the ball off the line after an Anthony Gerrard header had Speroni beaten. Though the Palace captain soon turned villain, procuring himself a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Miller. Though referee Howard Webb, perhaps, didn't have the best of games video replays show this one he got right.

Sean Scannell's introduction in the second half almost turned the game around for Palace and the forward released a few shots on goal (though Palace didn't manage a single shot on target throughout the game) and linked up well with the other attacking players after joining the fray.

Extra time came and the Cardiff voices that had been so loud previously now fell silent, and the last half an hour of the game was played to a soundtrack of "Dougie Freedman's Red and Blue Army".

Cardiff were frantically searching for a goal to clinch the game in open play and but for the post and Speroni's safe hands they would have.

Penalty shoot-out

Time was called and a penalty shoot out was held in front of the travelling Palace fans.

Things started well as Cardiff's Miller stepped up and shot over the bar. (0-0)

Substitute Jermaine Easter then stepped up to take Palace's first penalty and had it saved by second-string Cardiff 'keeper Tom Heaton. (0-0)

Craig Conway converted the first spot-kick off the evening for Cardiff. (1-0)

Sean Scannell took the second Palace penalty of the evening and had his shot saved. (1-0)

Rudy Gestede stepped up for Cardiff for their second. (2-0)

Mile Jedinak found the back of the net for the first time in red and blue. (2-1)

Peter Whittingham converted to put Cardiff further ahead. (3-1)

Jonny Parr stepped up to take Palace's last penalty of the evening and sent the ball sailing over the bar. The shoot-out ended 3-1 in favour of the home side.

The Doog

"It was a fantastic physical effort. I felt we were asked a lot of questions which we answered. We dug in and I felt we grew into the game. The pride we've shown and the desire to work hard for each other and the commitment to each other was second to none and I'm really proud of that.

"I'm disappointed short-term, but long-term I think we can take a lot from the game. We can take a lot from the challenge and the way we responded to it. I thought we were prepared and up for the challenge and we came close tonight.

"I think we won a lot of hearts tonight. It was a great cup tie and overall it was a very well-played game. It just wasn't to be.

"With the physical output we had to put out in the game, it's difficult to compose yourself and slot the penalties.

"The sending-off was disappointing but I haven't had a chance to see it again but Howard Webb is a very good referee who gets most things right. He got it right tonight I would think.

"Cardiff are an outstanding team and I am sure will be in the hunt for promotion at the end of the season, never mind only having 10 men, but we came at them.  We showed some fantastic pace on the break. We fight for each other and on another night we'd have maybe taken one of our opportunities, but we deserved to take it to penalties.

"We've come a long way in such a short space of time. We've taken a lot from this and hopefully will move on quickly."

What did you think of the game? Let us know! Comment below...