Ipswich will never get an easier point and even had on-loan striker Ricardo Fuller sent off 13 minutes from time. Fuller's dismissal was a mystery until after the final whistle when it was confirmed it was for an offensive gesture to the assistant referee, technically a sending off offence.
The game started well for Palace and Aki Riihilahti headed them in front on ten minutes after Jobi McAnuff's cross from the left from Ben Watson's free-kick was blocked by the wall.
Palace went on to miss a number of glorious chances with Andy Johnson, Watson and Tom Soares all guilty.
Ipswich were finding it tough going but got back into it on the half-hour through a Soares own goal after Sito's cross into the box caused havoc in the home ranks.
Palace restored their lead eight minutes into the second half after Watson's long free-kick from the left was neatly headed past Shane Supple by Clinton Morrison.
Although Palace were not at their best they were the more likely to score again and, indeed, Johnson's 12-yard shot looked a goal all the way until it struck his team-mate, Morrison, in the face and the ball dropped wide.
But Ipswich delivered again on 67 minutes when Matthew Richards' cross from the right was met perfectly by Fuller to nod past Gabor Kiraly.
Alan Lee missed a couple of excellent chances before Fuller was shown a red card while for Palace substitute Dougie Freedman saw his shot brilliantly diverted onto the post by Supple in the dying seconds.