Former Blue Darren Ambrose struck twice on his return to Portman Road as Palace left with the points. Alex Bruce on target for Town.

Ambrose, who started his career at the Club, struck twice inside the first five minutes of the second-half before Bruce pulled Blues back into the game, heading in Owen Garvan's cross.

Palace regained command though on 70 minutes, Neil Danns heading in at the far post from close range with Ambrose the provider.

Town made three changes from the side that drew with Leicester at the weekend, Connor Wickham and Tamas Priskin coming in for their first starts, Bruce getting the nod over David Wright at right-back.

Like Saturday, Town were slow out of the blocks and it took a brilliant save from Richard Wright to deny Paddy McCarthy's header from Danny Butterfield's cross. Wright had to be alert seconds later to claw Alassane N'Diaye's header away as the Eagles threatened an early lead.

Town had to wait until 20 minutes for a first effort at goal, Jon Walters sending a back post header over the bar from Lee Martin's cross.N'Diaye showed a great touch and skill to leave two defenders in his wake inside the Blues' box but his cross evaded Freddie Sears and Neil Danns six yards out.

Sears dragged his shot wide from the angle, Danns then going close with another cross shot after a 40 yard run into the heart of the Town defence.

Julian Speroni saved comfortably from Wickham, Priskin seeing a close range effort blocked as Town began to carve out opening and Blues finished the half on the front foot, Liam Trotter blasting just wide after Speroni had received lengthy treatment for a head injury.

Wright was in the right place to beat out Sears' blast inside the first minute of the second-half but Palace didn't have to wait long for the opener, Ambrose converting from ex Blue Alan Lee's cross on 49 minutes.

Ambrose extended the lead within 60 seconds, beating his former Town team-mate Wright with a cracker from 25 yards.

Town boss Roy Keane immediately made two changes, Owen Garvan and Jon Stead replacing Healy and Priskin. Stead had the ball in the net within seconds but not before the offside flag was raised, Clint Hill picking up the first yellow card of the game for a foul on Walters soon after.

Speroni saved well from Walters' header but Town got the breakthrough on the hour, Bruce heading in from close range following Garvan's excellent cross.

Wickham showed great technique to smash a volley at Speroni from 20 yards as Town pressed for an equaliser.

Palace were close to adding a third though with a goalmouth scramble seeing Gareth McAuley making a block on the line but the Eagles found the net 20 minutes from time, Ambrose the provider with a perfect cross and Danns the finisher with a header at the far post.

Martin shot well wide after creating an opening for himself, the former Manchester United player then making way for Alan Quinn.

Stead had a header cleared off the line by Shaun Derry with 10 minutes left, the striker then seeing another effort blocked six yards out by Jose Fonte as Blues looked for a way back into the game.

Walters headed over from Garvan's cross, Trotter testing Speroni from distance in a flurry of late chances while Sears' deflected effort almost went in but Blues' wait for a first Championship win of the season goes on.

Town: R.Wright, Bruce, McAuley, Balkestein, Delaney, Walters, Healy (Garvan 51), Trotter, Martin (Quinn 71), Wickham, Priskin (Stead 51). Subs not used: Supple, DWright, Colback, Smith.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, McCarthy, Fonte, Hill, N'Diaye, Derry, Danns, Ambrose, Lee, Sears. Subs not used: Flahavan, Clyne, Carle, Moses, Scannell, Lawrence, Ertl. Booked: Hill.
Att: 20,348