Ricardo Fuller enjoyed mixed fortunes on his return to Selhurst Park, giving Town a share of the spoils with an equaliser but then getting sent-off.

The Jamaican international, who spent eight months at Palace in 2001, making a handful of appearances, headed in superbly midway through the second-half but then became the sixth Blues' player to see red when he was sent-off 12 minutes from time for gesturing to the crowd.

Aki Riihilahti gave the home side the lead with a header from a free-kick on nine minutes before Tom Soares deflected a cross into his own net.

Palace regained the lead early in the second-half when Clinton Morrison headed in another free-kick before Fuller took over centre stage for various reasons.

Jim Magilton replaced the injured Jimmy Juan in midfield while Sito started at full-back, Fabian Wilnis moving inside to partner Jason De Vos with Richard Naylor serving a two match suspension.

Blues got off to the worst possible start when Wilnis brought down Andy Johnson on the edge of the Town box, the Dutchman breathing a slight sigh of relief when he was shown a yellow card by referee Kevin Friend and not the red that greeted Bam Bam at Preston in midweek.

Ben Watson fired the free-kick into the wall but the rebound was fed back inside the Town box and Riihilahti was left free to bury his header past Shane Supple.

Ricardo Fuller had Town's first shot of note on the quarter hour, his 30 yard strike straight at Gabor Kiraly.

The Hungarian 'keeper was quick off his line soon after to deny Fuller on the edge of the penalty following a Magilton pass, with Alan Lee then booked for a foul on Emmerson Boyce.

After being forced back for much of the first 25 minutes, Town were on equal terms on the half hour when Soares diverted the ball past Kiraly following a cross from Richards.

Palace responded with a Johnson free-kick that blitzed just past Supple's goal, then the Town 'keeper saved from the impressive Watson, who exchanged passes with Boyce but shot straight at the Irishman.

Blues finished the half the stronger, Magilton and Lee linking up well with Fuller almost converting at the far post, Richards firing over the bar from 12 yards then Darren Currie having a strike at goal from distance.

Palace regained the lead seven minutes into the second-half, another Watson free-kick finding Morrison free and the Republic of Ireland international did the rest with his head.

Boyce had a shot blocked by Barron then Johnson pole-axed Morrison with a shot at goal that was deflected wide.

Lee showed a great touch to bring down a cross on the hour but his shot went just wide as Town looked to find a second equaliser and it came midway through the second-half via a terrific header from Fuller after Richards had crossed.

Chris Casement was handed his debut for Town seconds later, replacing Barron, becoming the fifth member of the Youth Cup winning squad to progress to the senior ranks this season.

The equaliser clearly boosted Blues and Kiraly saved well from Lee as the Republic of Ireland international looked set to put Town ahead before Fuller was booked after an apparent foul as he burst in on goal.

Eagles' boss Iain Dowie then made his first change, Dougie Freedman replacing Soares as he went to a three man attack and they had a player advantage seconds later when Fuller was handed a straight red card for gesturing to the crowd, a decision that clearly angered his Town team-mates.

Norwegian midfielder Vemund Brekke Skard became the second Blues' debutant of the match, coming on for Magilton over the last five minutes.

Palace threw everything at Town in the closing seconds and it took a wonder save from Supple to deny Johnson to earn Blues a point, a save that brought applause from both Johnson and the 'keeper's team-mates.

The draw leaves Blues in 10th place, nine points adrift of the Play-Offs with seven games to go.