Cardiff City v Crystal Palace - in pictures

The Crystal Palace manager, Dougie Freedman, guided his side to a potentially precious 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park in the first leg of this semi-final, a result and a performance which leaves his side within reach of a final at Wembley against either Liverpool or Manchester City. Cardiff, though, have won nine of their 13 home league games this season and will fancy their chances Photograph: David Davies/PA

It takes only six minutes for Cardiff to tie the aggregate scores. Anthony Gardner, the goalscorer from the first leg, has got his name on the scoresheet again. The Palace defender inadvertently headed the ball past his own goalkeeper Julián Speroni after stooping to clear Don Cowie's dangerous cross Photograph: David Davies/PA

Cardiff are looking dangerous. Central to their attacking aspirations is Kenny Miller who twice goes close - first with a shot across the face of goal which bobbles inches wide and then with another effort which cracks against the post Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Gardner decides the best way to halt Miller is to bring him to ground. But even that brings only temporary respite from the pressure the home side are exterting. Palace are not in this match at all Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

The Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay urges his side forward, sensing another goal Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

After the interval, Palace begin to probe with greater intent. The combination of pace and trickery possessed by Wilfried Zaha is causing the Cardiff defence particular concern Photograph: Andrew Winning/Reuters

However, goals are still not forthcoming. Even when Palace's Patrick McCarthy rams Kenny Miller from behind and earns himself a second yellow card, Cardiff are unable to exploit their advantage ... extra-time comes and goes (with Cardiff's Aaron Gunnarsson crashing a header onto the woodwork in the dying seconds) ... so penalties it is Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Cardiff are first to try their luck from 12 yards, and when Miller blazes over it looks ominous for the Bluebirds. But the Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton then produces two fine saves - from Jermaine Easter and Sean Scannell - to give Cardiff the upper hand ... Photograph: David Davies/PA

... and when Palace's Jonathan Parr fires wide, the Cardiff players and fans leap into the air in celebration. They're off to Wembley and deservedly so Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Scannell shows his dejection as he walks off at the end of a crushing night for his side. He's only 21 and was raised in south London, so he'll be feeling the pain of this defeat more than most Photograph: David Davies/PA