SUBSTITUTE Julian Joachim punished ten-man Crystal Palace as he struck five minutes from time to deny the South London club their first home league win of the season at Selhurst Park.

Palace had taken the lead on 41 minutes with a hotly disputed goal from in-form striker Neil Shipperley. which led to the Villa players remonstrating angrily with the assistant referee who had given the free-kick that led to the goal.

Shipperley flung himself through the air to meet midfielder Andy Roberts' quickly taken free kick following a foul on full back Jamie Smith and the ball flew past hapless Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich as he stood rooted to the spot.

Villa centre forward Savo Milosevic had to be held back by his team-mates as he argued angrily with the official, apparently unhappy that the free kick had been taken from the wrong spot, and defender Steve Staunton continued the protest at the half-time whistle.

Villa... looking to build on their midweek UEFA Cup win over Athletic Bilbao and put their Premiership woes behind them, lacked bite in the second half until Joachim was introduced for full-back Gary Charles.

They were further boosted when Palace were reduced to ten men after Smith, making his home debut for the Londoners, was sent off for his second bookable offence on 77 minutes, when he brought down lan Taylor after earlier being cautioned for dissent.

But just as Palace looked as if they would hang on, Joachim struck for his second goal of the campaign when Palace keeper Kevin Miller could only parry a long range effort from Milosevic and the substitute pounced to hit home the rebound into an unguarded net.