Leicester City's six game unbeaten Championship run came to an end at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
Eagles captain Carl Fletcher's early strike coupled with Ben Watson's last gasp penalty proved to be the difference between the two sides.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, only Richard Stearman, Gareth McAuley and Jason Jarrett came close for the visitors.
But despite an improved second-half display, the Foxes, under the watchful eye of new owner Milan Mandaric, were unable to penetrate the Palace defence and returned home pointless.
The returning Nisse Johansson had to be on his toes to clear from Tom Soares' teasing cross into the area on four minutes.
Stearman then blocked from Clinton Morrison in the ninth minute after Ben Watson's quick free-kick.
Morrison headed wide from Gary Borrowdale's left-wing cross soon after as the two sides battled for possession early on.
But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 14th minute through Carl Fletcher.
Soares pulled the ball back from the right-hand by-line and the Eagles skipper was the first to react, placing his effort low into the far corner past the outstretched arm of Paul Henderson for the opener.
It was all Palace at this point and Dougie Freedman saw his shot graze the left-hand upright on 19 minutes as they looked to make the most of their early territorial advantage.
Gabor Kiraly collected comfortably from Levi Porter's cross on 23 minutes.
After a lull in play, Iain Hume almost latched on to Stephen Hughes' speculative ball into the box in the 35th minute.
The hosts should have doubled their lead two minutes later but with the goal gaping following Fletcher's dangerous cross, Morrison somehow side-footed his effort wide from only yards out.
Patrick Kisnorbo headed wide from Stearman's deep cross on 40 minutes before Porter found the arms of Kiraly moments later as the visitors looked for a leveller before half-time.
Watson drilled his free-kick well wide in the 43rd minute but his side had done enough to go into the break a goal to the good.
Soares and Morrison combined well again on 49 minutes but the latter could not supply the finishing touch from close range.
Former Fox James Scowcroft fired wide after holding off the challenge of Kisnorbo moments later.
Stearman should have equalised in the 54th minute but his free header from Porter's cross flew inches wide.
At the other end Mark Hudson's goal-bound header was blocked by Morrison on 59 minutes before Geoff Horsfield made way for Elvis Hammond on 63 minutes.
Henderson saved easily from Scowcroft's downward header in the 65th minute before Hume was booked.
Andy Johnson made way for Mark Yeates on 71 minutes and he made an immediate impact.
His cross was met by the head of Gareth McAuley but with the ball destined for the far corner, Hammond diverted it over the bar with Kiraly beaten.
Michael Hughes replaced Freedman soon after then Hammond fired wide from distance.
Morrison made way for Lewis Grabban on 77 minutes before Kiraly got down well to palm Jason Jarrett's shot away from the danger zone in the 89th minute.
Darren Kenton replaced Johansson in stoppage time with McAuley moving up front before Soares' cross was handled by Yeates in the area and the referee blew for a penalty.
Watson stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to ensure all three points.
City: Henderson, Stearman, Kisnorbo ©, McAuley, Johansson (Kenton 90), Hughes S, Johnson (Yeates 71), Jarrett, Porter, Hume, Horsfield (Hammond 63). Subs not used: Logan, Tiatto.
Palace: Kiraly, Lawrence, Hudson, Cort, Scowcroft, Freedman (Hughes M 73), Morrison (Grabban 77), Watson, Borrowdale, Soares, Flecther ©. Subs not used: Speroni, Butterfield, Martin.
Yellow Cards
City: Hume (68)
Palace: Borrowdale (58)
Referee: P Armstrong
Attendance: 16,969 (1,378)
