U18s: Palace 1 United 1 (AET) [6-5 pens]

Noah Ajayi's opener was cancelled out when Benji Casey equalised from the penalty spot with only minutes left to go.

Albert Mills's was sent off for his part in the goal, hauling down Palace's Casey inside the box, sending a late dagger through our hopes.

After another 15 in extra time, nothing could separate the two teams, with the Eagles emerging victorious after Dean Benamar netted the winner.

FIRST HALF

Ajayi began the contest causing all sorts of problems for the hosts, with his darting runs down the right flank tough to deal with.

A loose corner kick from Jim Thwaites fell to Gabriel who blazed over the bar with 16 on the clock, as our young Reds continued to up the ante.

But soon after Darren Fletcher's side found themselves ahead, with Chido Obi played a smart pass into Ajayi, who delivered with aplomb to make it 1-0.

It was just reward for the German's early work, as he continued his fine form of late with the opener at Selhurst Park.

Casey slammed one against the bar as the first half went on, with United resisting Palace's response.

Gabriel then dashed one into the side-netting, as we went into the break with a one-goal buffer.

SECOND HALF

Thwaites's free-kick had to be beaten away by goalkeeper Lucca Benetton as we began the second period the brighter.

Goalscorer Ajayi then seemed to pick up a knock and was replaced by livewire Sam Lusale.

Junior Brown drew another stop from the Eagles shot-stopper after being fed by Gabriel, as he mark his final involvement of the game.

Amir Ibragimov and James Overy then replaced the duo, as we looked to find a crucial second.

But there was to be late heartbreak in the dying embers, as Mills dragged down Casey inside the box, conceding a penalty and earning himself a red in the process.

Casey stepped up and slammed home the equaliser, as we went into extra time.

EXTRA TIME AND PENALTIES

The only big chance of extra time fell to palace as Benamer slammed an effort off the bar after a solid save from Cameron Byrne-Hughes.

We then opted to swap Byrne-Hughes for Fred Heath for spot-kicks, and converted all five of our first efforts.

But when Godwill Kukonki hit the frame of the goal, that left Benamer the chance to win it, who notched the winner and earned the cup for Palace.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Byrne-Hughes (Heath 119), Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki; Thwaites, McCormack (McEvoy 80); Brown (Overy 80), Gabriel (Ibragimov 70), Ajayi (Lusale 60), Obi.

Goals: Ajayi 19.

Booked: Ibragimov.

Sent off: Mills 90+3