Yeovil were cruelly dumped out of the Carling Cup at Huish Park tonight after Alan Lee's winner twenty seconds into stoppage time gave visitors Crystal Palace passage into the second  round.

The Glovers had fought back after a shaky start that saw John Sullivan deny the Eagles three times in the first ten minutes and could easily have won the game but were left ruing referee Phil Gibbs' decision not to award a 77th minute penalty when Dean Bowditch was brought down inside the box.

However the Glovers more than played their part in a thrilling encounter that promises much for their chances in League One this season.

Boss Terry Skiverton decided to name the same eleven that earned three points in their opening League One fixture against Leyton Orient three days ago.

After a five minute delay to ensure the hundreds of Palace fans all got in for the start, the visitors came out of the blocks fastest and Sullivan had to be at his best to twice deny lively forward Nathaniel Pinney and then save a header from Calvin Andrew.

Luke Freeman, buoyed by his debut goal on Saturday, hit the woodwork on twelve minutes then shot way over after creating space for himself outside the box. Striker Dean Bowditch also hooked the ball over when set up with a long pass.

Sullivan was smart again to save from a Paddy McCarthy effort then bravely dived at Lee's feet after the striker's heavy touch gave the keeper time to recover.

Bowditch had Yeovil's clearest chance of the first period when he was set up by a through ball from midfield but he hit his shot straight at Palace keeper Julian Speroni.

Captain Craig Alcock flicked a header goalwards but Speroni again saved comfortably as the first half closed in a more even fashion.

The second half began with chances coming thick and fast. Andrew was denied again by Sullivan and Darren Ambrose thought he had given the Championship side the lead but his goal was disallowed for an offside flag.

As the game turned into a battle of the keepers, Speroni produced a fantastic block from Bowditch's direct free kick from outside the area and the Argentinian stopper then dropped onto a Luke Ayling cross after the ex-Arsenal midfielder had wound his way in from the touchline.

On the hour, Sam Williams of all people rescued Yeovil with a last ditch clearance after good work down the right from substitute Kieron Cadogan had produced a chance and Cadogan then headed over as Palace started pushing forward in waves.

Former Bristol Rovers defender Adam Barrett headed over from a Darren Ambrose corner before half time Eagles sub Wilfried Zaha saw his shot deflected for a corner.

Williams hit his shot over from the edge of the box on 74 minutes and ninety seconds later, the home crowd were incensed when referee Phil Gibbs waved away strong claims for a penalty when Bowditch was clearly brought down in the box as he was about to pull the trigger.

With five minutes left, brilliant wingplay from Andy Williams set up a cross for Bowditch but the striker just failed to connect with the ball in and heartbreak arrived shortly after.

Palace broke down the flank and after the cross in was initially blocked, Alan Lee gleefully smashed the ball home to send the Eagles fans into delirium.

A cruel ending to this particular cup competition then but there was no disgrace in how the Glovers played tonight against a side a division higher and could, and maybe should, have grabbed a winner themselves.