Town made it two away wins in succession thanks to a Danny Haynes deflection just before half-time.
The England U19 international wasn't in the starting line-up but an ankle injury to Alan Quinn in the warm-up saw him promoted from the bench and he took advantage with the winner, not that he knew much about it, the striker deflecting in Richard Naylor's volley.
It was a sweet return to Selhurst Park for Bam Bam, the defender making his first start for Town since the 2-0 defeat at Palace last February.
The win follows the 2-1 success at Sheffield Wednesday on Town's last away day and keeps Jim Magilton's side firmly in the Play-Off picture.
The Town boss made three changes to the side that lost to Watford at the weekend.
Naylor came in for David Wright. Alan Lee replaced Pablo Counago up front, with Velice Sumulikoski making his full debut in midfield, Owen Garvan dropping out.
Haynes was immediately in the action, almost getting on the end of an underhit backpass, Julian Speroni clearing.
The Palace 'keeper was called upon soon after as Town started the better, Jon Walters forcing him into a low save.
Walters had a header just wide at the near post as Blues threatened an early breakthrough, while at the other end former Blue James Scowcroft sent an ambitious overhead kick over the bar.
Walters, prominent throughout the first-half, linked up with Lee but his cross fell behind David Norris on the edge of the box, then Lee had a header saved by Speroni.
Naylor, making his first start since Town's defeat at Selhurst Park in February, headed wide from Tommy Miller's free-kick, Norris doing likewise from Dan Harding's cross.
Harding came to Town's rescue at the other end on the half hour, throwing himself in the way of Sean Scannell's goalbound strike to deflect the ball for a corner.
Stephen Bywater held firm to keep out Ben Watson's shot, then Mark Hudson failed to take advantage of Palace's best chance in the first-half, Naylor clearing the ball from three yards after the Palace skipper had beaten Town's offside trap.
The opening goal came seconds before the break, Palace failing to clear a corner and Naylor's volley taking a deflection off Haynes to beat Speroni.
Palace made a change at the break, the experienced Carl Fletcher taking over from Watson in midfield.
Speroni struggled to deal with Harding's right foot shot as Blues again started the half brightly. Lee crowded out as he tried to get on the end of a Jason De Vos header.
The Eagles' 'keeper was perhaps fortunate to get just a yellow card against Town for the second time this season when he brought down Walters as he burst in on goal, the same player booked for handball when many thought he would be sent-off in the reverse fixture at Portman Road in August.
One former Blue replaced another in Palace's second change, Shefki Kuqi replacing Scowcroft, the Finn firing wide with his first touch.
Neill Danns picked up the first yellow card of the game four a foul on Norris as Palace's frustrations started to show, Eagles boss Neil Warnock giving popular striker Dougie Freedman the last 25 minutes.
Haynes tested Speroni with a low drive then thundered another chance over the bar as Blues threatened a second goal, De Vos stretching to clear from Kuqi as Freedman played the ball into the box. Haynes yellow carded for a foul on Fletcher.
Clinton Morrison then wasted a gilt edged chance to equaliser for the home side, pulling his shot wide from 10 yards following Hudson's knock on.
Counago replaced Lee for the closing stages, the Spaniard almost getting on the end ofHaynes' clever pass. Wright then coming on for Alex Bruce as Town played out time for three well deserved points.
Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, Hudson, Hills, Scannell, Derry (Freedman 66), Watson (Fletcher 46), Danns, Scowcroft (Kuqi 55), Morrison. Subs not used: Ifill, Fonte. Booked: Danns.
Town: Bywater, Bruce (Wright 86), De Vos, Naylor, Harding, Norris, Miller, Sumulikoski, Haynes, Lee (Counago 82), Walters. Subs not used: Colgan, Garvan, Trotter. Booked: Haynes, Bywater.
Att: 16,090
