Crystal Palace's hopes of repeating their League Cup run in the FA Cup this season ended on Saturday as they lost 1-0 to Derby County in the third round.

Theo Robinson's early goal against a largely second-string Eagles side saw Dougie Freedman's side exit the competition despite a dogged second-half performance.

The virus that has hit the squad this month ruled out a number of players and Freedman was forced to field a strike force of Calvin Andrew, Antonio Pedroza and youngster Kyle De Silva, with debuts in defence for loan signings Mustapha Dumbuya and John Egan.

"Hand on heart, I was forced into making changes," said Freedman.

"If there was no illness at the club, there would have been three of four who were not here today who would have played.

"Now we have to tread carefully and try and stop the virus spreading, that's my main concern.

"We just missed out on Saturday, we gave it everything but we just came up short.

"I gave youngsters debuts and it just shows you that is what we do at Crystal Palace - we give people opportunities.

"I am very proud of the way they handled themselves especially after the goal went in, they were tested and stood up to the challenge.

"The character they showed was second to none and I think that is a credit to our lads.

"They gave it a right good go and they put Derby under a lot of pressure but in the end we couldn't quite get the goal."