Despite Derby being quick out of the blocks, it was Palace who scored against the run of play. A defensive clearance fell to Bolasie who then rounded Legzdins to fire the visitors ahead.
Zaha overcame a late fitness test, but he was anonymous for most of the game. Gareth Roberts doing a good job at left back in his return from suspension. One play saw him shrug off and beat both Bolasie and Zaha on the ball.
The best chance for Derby in the first half saw Brayford beat Moxey down the right and then unleash a shot that rebounded off the underside of the crossbar.
The second half saw much pressure from the Rams and as with many games this season, just reward was not forthcoming. After losing Ward in the first half with a tight hamstring, many may have thought that the attacking plays would be less. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chris Martin impressed on his full debut and showed signs of adding another dimension to Derby's forward play.
In the dying minutes it looked like a draw could be snatched as a penalty was awarded for a foul on Ben Davies.
Sammon stepped up to take it a blasted it down the middle. Speroni had started to dive to his left, but managed to get his hand to it and tipped it up against the bar and denied Derby as the ball was eventually cleared away.
So another frustrating loss of points and the Rams next face a tricky looking visit to league leaders Cardiff City on Tuesday night.
Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Coutts (Davies 84), Hendrick, Bryson; Ward (Jacobs 41), Sammon, Martin (Bennett 79). Subs Not Used: Fielding, Gjokaj, Hoganson, Doyle.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Richards (Williams 60), Bolasie (Phillips 73), Dikgacoi, Dobbie (Butterfield 58), Jedinak, Zaha, Murray, Moxey, Delaney, Ramage. Subs Not Used: Price, Parr, Marrow, Wilbraham.
Man of the Match - John Brayford
Attendance: 23,065
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