Chris Martin scored his firsts Crystal Palace goal as the Eagles drew 1-1 with Derby County at Selhurst Park.

Norwich loanee Martin put them in front in a first half they dominated but lacklustre second half and a Paddy McCarthy own goal meant Derby County left with a share of the points.

The cliché ‘a game of two halves’ is overused in football but applied completely at Selhurst Park.

Still buoyed by their Manchester heroics, the Eagles were comfortably the best team in the first half but had little to show for it apart from the goal against a Derby side low on confidence who didn’t test Julian Speroni once.

But, after the break, Palace’s heads seemed to be in the dressing room still and sustained pressure from Derby eventually ended in an equaliser – albeit a fortunate one.

With neither team having won in the league since late October, a draw was perhaps the least surprisingly result.

Only McCarthy remained from the 11 that started at Manchester United as Dougie Freedman made 11 changes, including a surprise recall for Calvin Andrew at left wing.

Wednesday’s hero Glenn Murray should have opened the scoring as early as the second minute when Darren Ambrose’s shot ricocheted into his path but Frank Fielding saved his low shot.

They did take the lead on 15 minutes though as Peter Ramage robbed Jamie Ward of the ball and fed Martin to shoot home from 20 yards via a deflection off Shaun Barker.

Despite controlling possession, two long-distance Ambrose shots, one just wide from a free kick and another straight at Fielding, were all the Eagles had to show for their endeavours.

At half-time, not many would have predicted what was to happen in the second as two teams swapped roles.

Derby pressured from the start and saw Jason Shackell’s header cleared by McCarthy and James Bailey’s follow-up blocked by Mile Jedinak.

A run of Rams corners ended when Tamas Priskin headed wide with Palace defending desperately.

Eventually, the pressure paid off with 15 minutes left as Paul Green’s inviting cross was acrobatically turned into his own net by McCarthy as he stretched to clear.

It was the first goal Palace had conceded at home in 535 minutes of football.

Despite the introductions of Wilfried Zaha and Antonio Pedroza, for this debut, it was Derby that came closest to winning it with McCarthy blocking Priskin’s shot and Speroni saving from Green in added time.

Palace back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Barnsley.