Tommy Black's brace sent 10-man Crystal Palace into the fifth round of the Worthington Cup.

A header and a well-measured finish in either half ensured Oldham's giantkilling exploits in this competition would not continue.

Yet Trevor Francis' First Division side made hard work of the tie after Danny Granville was red-carded in first-half stoppage time.

Key incidents

11 mins: Black gives Palace the lead 45 mins: Granville is sent off 74 mins: Black doubles Palace's advantage

Former Palace striker Iain Dowie, now manager of Oldham, had already accounted for West Ham, another of his old clubs, and First Division Derby.

The Lancashire side entered the tie unbeaten in nine matches and boasting an incredible unbeaten away record this season.

But they finally came unstuck against a Palace side whose First Division form has slipped in recent weeks, with just four points from a possible 15.

Oldham dominated both in terms of possession and territory in the early stages of the contest with midfielder David Eyres - back from a one-match ban - prominent.

I thought Tommy was quite outstanding - he's a talented player Palace manager Trevor Francis

Switching flanks, he popped up on the right to cut inside and shoot straight at Alex Kolinko from 20 yards.

But within seconds Palace took a 10th-minute lead from their first purposeful foray.

Granville found room on the left and swung over a cross, which was looped over giant Australian goalkeeper Leslie Pogliacomi by the head of Black.

Then, on the quarter hour, Black's cross was only half-cleared and Hayden Mullins' drive grazed the upright.

Palace fans' were off their seats on the stroke of half-time - but this time for a contrasting reason.

Granville gets his marching orders

Granville was dismissed by referee Chris Foy for showing his studs to Michael Clegg, despite appearing to make minimal if any contact.

Oldham's numerical second-half advantage gave them a chance to hit back.

Palace manager Francis responded to Granville's dismissal by withdrawing young striker Gareth Williams and sending on full-back Gary Borrowdale.

The 10 of Palace were intent on keep-ball to preserve their lead and frustrated the Latics for long spells.

Yet they should have made it two from a rare move of quality as Black turned provider with a reverse pass to send Dele Adebola racing clear of the visitors' defence.

But the goal-shy striker's lack of confidence was evident in his fluffed shot straight at Pogliacomi.

When the roles were reversed, however, Oldham were punished again.

Adebola slipped the ball into the path of Black, who steadied himself in the area before arrowing his shot across Pogliacomi from the right.

Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Powell, Symons (Antwi 90), Popovic, Butterfield, Mullins, Riihilahti, Black (Hunt 90), Granville, Williams (Borrowdale 45), Adebola.
Subs Not Used: Robert Smith, Michopoulos.

Sent Off: Granville (45).

Oldham: Pogliacomi, Hall, Beharall, Hill (Andrews 16), Clegg (Da Silva 66), Baudet, Eyres, Darren Sheridan, Armstrong, Wijnhard (Corazzin 76), Killen.
Subs Not Used: Duxbury, Miskelly.

Booked: Darren Sheridan, Eyres, Andrews.

Attendance: 7,431

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).