Crystal Palace's team of youth and reserve players just edged out AFC Wimbledon 4-3 in an entertaining and open encounter at Kingsmeadow. Roscoe D'Sane and Joe Paris converted spot kicks either side of Luke Garrard's half-volley as the Dons drew level three times before Sean Scannell dug out a late winner.

With the emphasis still very much on fitness and gelling, Jon Turner named a strong starting eleven to face the young Eagles, maintaining the 3-5-2 that seems to be the formation of choice at present. Sadly, Scott Curley would last little more than ten minutes before an injury forced his withdrawal.

By then the home side had already created some decent openings with Luke Garrard and Steve Wales combining well down the right flank. Michael Haswell had the best of the early attempts curling a 20-yarder around keeper Wilkinson only to see it land in the Tempest End.

Palace soon found their way into the match and James Dayton sent out an early warning shot, robbing Antony Howard and going close.

The Dons continued to forage down the right wing, showing a desire to get the ball down and play some neat one and two touch football. The visitors were content to break at pace when they got the opportunity - Ryan Hall showing balance and vision to go with a tidy range of passing. He set up Jerahl Hughes for a couple of half-chances that the winger was unable to fire through the Dons' defence.

Wes Daly tried a cheeky dead-ball curler which Wilkinson dealt with at a stretch, before Michael Haswell picked out Roscoe D'Sane from a free-kick on the right - the striker's header crashing back off the cross-bar. Antony Howard tried to get something on the rebound but Palace cleared their lines. D'Sane and Armstrong were working hard to keep the Palace defence under pressure and forced a corner from which Sobihy headed on to the bar once again.

Not to be outdone, the visitors stepped up a gear. Garrard had to be sharp to block Hall and Josh Lennie would have been glad to see Dayton's effort clear the cross-bar after some sloppy passing by the Dons' defence. He could do nothing, however, about the penalty that Wimbledon conceded on 35 minutes. Howard was caught in possession by Scannell following Lennie's poor ball out and Frankie could only haul the Palace down. Charlie Sheringham - son of Teddy (apparently) - stepped up and converted for 1-0.

Two minutes later, AFC Wimbledon went close from a short free-kick - D'Sane blasting his shot over the bar. It wasn't long before the former Aldershot man found the target though. He latched on to a throw-in down the left, darted into the box and was fouled by Aaron Dalhouse. His no-nonsense penalty was promptly dispatched in front of the Tempest End for 1-1.

With their tails up the Dons looked for another. More clever interplay between Daly and D'Sane down the right gave Steve Wales room to whip a cross into the box. Although Armstrong couldn't make contact the Palace defender coming in behind him almost ploughed the ball his own net.

The game showed no signs of slowing down in the second half. The Eagles came out quicker with Sheringham clipping a shot wide and Scannell splitting the Dons' defence to find Straker who blazed his effort over the bar. Dayton then robbed Howard again but his cross-shot couldn't find a touch.

Wimbledon, meanwhile, started creating chances of their own. Armstrong and sub Darren Grieves combined well but Grieves scuffed his shot. Luke Garrard latched onto a Grieves through-ball and went to ground in the box, but there was to be no penalty this time round.

Although AFC Wimbledon were passing the ball well they lacked some of the speed and penetration Palace on the counter. Dangerous left winger Dayton was finding more space behind Steve Wales, isolating Wayne Finnie and running at him with electric pace. This led to the Eagles' second goal as Dayton crossed for Hughes to convert from six yards.

Once again the Dons raised their game and took just five minutes to level the scores for a second time. Michael Haswell had put together a decent series of set-pieces throughout the match and it was one of his corners that found Simon Sobihy causing mayhem in the Palace box. The ball broke to Luke Garrard who made no mistake with a half-volley from fifteen yards.

Moments later Armstrong found himself one on one with David Wilkinson but the young keeper stood up well and saved with his legs.

New signing Byron Bubb came on for Haswell on the left and gave the Wombles some extra verve. He made an instant impact working an opening with Grieves but Garrard couldn't keep his header down.

The game was swinging back and forth. Daly was robbed in midfield by the impressive Scannell but Lennie was equal to the shot. On 69 minutes, however, Palace broke away down the left with Dayton once again taking on all-comers and firing low into the corner.

The Dons rallied and another smart interchange down the left released Joe Paris to round the keeper, only to be brought down for the third penalty of the game. Paris got to his feet and did the honours, tucking away a confident spot kick.

The crowd would probably have settled for an entertaining 3-3 but the Eagles superior fitness came good with four minutes to go. A move that started as a throw-in on the right was worked over to Billy Bingham on the left. He found Dayton who took on Finnie and substitute Ursell before rifling at goal. Josh Lennie spilled the shot and Scannell finally got the goal he deserved for a fine performance.

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