Dominic Calvert-Lewin has seven Premier League goals to his name against Palace, including two earlier this season in a 4-1 win at Elland Road.
He has not scored more against any other team from the top flight, so it seemed like a huge boost for Leeds when the striker was passed fit to start at Selhurst Park.
In the build-up, Daniel Farke had said Leeds would make a late call on him because of a knee issue.
Calvert-Lewin caused plenty of issues for Palace through the first half, testing home goalkeeper Walter Benitez with a header and forcing Brennan Johnson into a last-gasp clearance – before his big penalty chance.
The miss defined the game, and combined with the red card it created a five-minute spell that was scarcely believable for Leeds.
It is to the credit of Farke's men that they did not buckle and were driven to a hard-earned point, with captain Ethan Ampadu particularly impressive in midfield.
But with Nottingham Forest dropping points against Fulham, this feels like a missed opportunity to open a real gap between Leeds and the drop zone.
