FIRST HALF – ARMER HEADS US IN FRONT
It was initially a slow burner of a first half, with both sides looking to dominate possession and play through the lines, while offering physicality in defence.
United’s first promising moments came from Victor Musa on the left, after 22 minutes. Our no.11 was played through by Armer but thwarted in his attempts to create an opening by the onrushing Lee, who calmly dispossessed our winger before passing to Craig Farquhar.
Moments later, Musa’s searching cross had to be diverted behind by Tyler Whyte, with white shirts sniffing around at the far post.
Jim Thwaites, in for Jack Moorhouse in the only change from our 3-2 win against Sunderland in the previous round, capitalised on a Palace error to tee up Obi, but his drive was pushed over the crossbar by Lee.
The Eagles goalkeeper then parried Lacey’s free-kick, after the Liverpudlian was fouled 25 yards out by George King, but the ball popped up invitingly for Armer to nod into the back of the net.
That setback seemed to shock our hosts into life in an attacking sense, and just before the break King tested Will Murdock with a looping centre that the Reds stopper did well to tip behind.
Palace had the ball in the net moments later, but referee Adrian Squelch had already blown up for a high foot, as Farquhar challenged Murdock.