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GLENN MURRAY was the pick of Crystal Palace's heroes as he headed home an extra-time winner to knock Manchester United out of the Carling Cup. The supersub rose highest to put away Darren Ambrose's superb free-kick in the 97th minute to give Dougie Freedman's men a well-deserved win at Old Trafford. It was a dull affair until Ambrose exploded the game into life with a wonderstrike from distance that flew off the midfielder's foot midway through the second half. The home side hit back instantly as Palace centre-back Paddy McCarthy pulled down Federico Macheda in the area and the 20-year-old stepped up to restore parity. United didn't turn up for the first half as Old Trafford were entertained by the Wilfred Zaha show. The Palace youngster made several incisive runs and was robbed of a free-kick on the edge of the area early on when Fabio hauled him down but nothing was given. The visitors were holding their own without really threatening. Alex Ferguson's side could only offer a Mame Biram Diouf speculative over-head as a first-half chance. Fabio limped off injured � shortly followed by twin brother Rafael in the second period � as United trudged off doubtlessly prepared for a half-time rollicking. Dimitar Berbatov's United career appeared to hit an all-time low as he was made the fall guy for the poor opening 45 and was replaced by Ravel Morrison during the interval. The United youngster made an instant impact with some neat flicks and a decent effort as the home side started to show some interest in winning the tie. But it took Ambrose's 65th-mintue wake-up call to really set the alarm bells ringing for Fergie's boys. The ex-Newcastle man � who netted for the Toon at Old Trafford in 2005 � turned in field before unleashing an unstoppable 30-yarder that bent and swerved its way into the top corner. United's reaction was instant. Macheda was played in and managed to turn McCarthy, and just before the young Italian could pull the trigger, the defender hauled him down via a shirt-pull. Referee Chris Foy rightly pointed to the spot and Macheda picked himself up to convert confidently. United started to build pressure but Palace always looked threatening on the break, with Murray firing a shot into the side netting. Extra-time was inevitable and with Palace tiring, United's experience saw them dominate as 100 minutes game time came and went. Urged on by the crowd Darron Gibson unleashed a left-footed effort that sailed just wide but minutes later Palace were in front again. Ambrose whipped in a pinpoint free-kick and a suspiciously offside-looking Murray headed home to send the travelling fans into raptures. United weren't finished though as Gibson went close again with a controlled volley before Macheda prodded a shot just wide. Red Devils keeper Ben Amos then had to be at his very best to deny Ambrose another fabulous goal as the midfielder crashed a free-kick from distance. It was nail-biting stuff for the visiting fans but Freedman's men managed to hold on to put them through to an unlikely place in the semi-final.