Crystal Palace shocked Manchester United 2-1 in extra time to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals at Old Trafford.

The Eagles were more than a match for their illustrious counterparts and reaped the rewards for a brilliant rearguard display matched with a willingness to attack.

Darren Ambrose's spectacular opener began a great night for the club that was capped off by Glenn Murray’s header in extra time.

United for their part were poor and, despite Sir Alex Ferguson starting a host of senior names, they only threatened once their youngsters were introduced off the bench.

Wilfried Zaha will get much of the acclaim for a display full of trickery, but credit must go the defence and the midfield three of David Wright, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Stuart O’Keefe.

Zaha stole the show in the first half, tormenting Fabio da Silva down the right in front of the 52,624 crowd.

The young Brazilian could easily have seen red for pushing Zaha over when through on goal but referee Chris Foy deemed no foul.

The Eagles were very much holding their own with Zaha shooting over and Sean Scannell firing wide, before a lacklustre Dimitar Berbatov wasted a good chance at the other end.

Neither keeper had a save to make but it was an enthralling first half that also saw Scannell and Fabio da Silva substituted with injuries.

The Eagles also lost Dean Moxey to injury at half-time, bringing Ambrose into the fray.

Ferguson made changes of his own as Berbatov was replaced by young Ravel Morrison who immediately added some much-needed verve into the United attack.

And the home team responded with Antonio Valencia robbing Anthony Gardner and tearing down on goal before shooting just wide of the post.

Valencia then turned provider as he slipped Morrison in but Lewis Price made a decent save with his right boot.

Palace weathered the storm though and sent their fans into ecstasy when Ambrose let fly form 30 yards into the top corner.

United sub Paul Pogba almost levelled straight away but saw his drive from distance go inches over the bar.

The home support didn’t have long to wait though as McCarthy grabbed Macheda’s shirt as he fell to the ground and referee Chris Foy rightly pointed to the spot.

Macheda sent Price the wrong way and the two sides were level-pegging again.

Neither side had a clear chance again before the end of the 90 minutes although Murray did hit the side netting from a tight angle.

He was to do better than that eight minutes into extra time though as Park fouled Zaha and he headed in Ambrose’s free kick despite a suspicion of offside.

United came back again but Darron Gibson volleyd just wide and Macheda wasted a golden chance as he wriggled between McCarthy and Gardner and toe-poked wide.

Ambrose had the scent for another wonder goal and tried his luck with a 35-yard free kick that was on target and forced Ben Amos to save.

Into the second half of extra time and McCarthy had to be across smartly to block Park’s shot in the box as Palace began to retreat.

With two minutes left, Valencia’s cross was headed back across goal and then cleared by Gardner, who got his head in the way of Gibson’s effort seconds later.

Clyne got a toe in to stop Diouf and when a late ricochet fell into Price’s arms, the Selhurst faithful went into delirium.