Crystal Palace conceded two penalties and had Owen Garvan sent off in a controversial 3-2 loss against Sheffield United.

Referee Anthony Taylor also gave the Eagles a penalty and showed Alex Bogdanovic a straight red in injury time after the Blades had scored two goals in the last five minutes to snatch the win and leave Palace second bottom.

The Blades were on top early on but it was Palace who took the lead when Jean Calve was harshly adjudged to have bundled over Neil Danns as he tried to reach a deep Alassane N'Diaye cross.

After the home team's protests were waved away, Danns picked himself up to smash the ball down the middle and put Palace ahead.

Seven minutes before the break referee Taylor was again centre of attention, giving United a penalty when Nathaniel Clyne and Ched Evans bumped into each other in the box.

Palace were incensed and Garvan led the protests, being booked twice in three seconds, first for dissent and then for foul and abusive language directed at Taylor – who sent him for an early bath.

Richard Cresswell scored from the spot.

The second half started with Palace on the back foot again as they looked to hold on for a point.

Julian Speroni made a brilliant save with his knee from Cresswell, from which Palace broke and took the lead again.

Wilfried Zaha played Clyne free down the right and his superb cross picked out James Vaughan at the back post to nod home.

Speroni then somehow tipped Mark Yeates' effort on to the post as Palace held firm until five minutes from time.

Kyle Bartley's header was pushed on to the cross bar by Speroni but Evans, who was two yards offside when Bartley headed it, tapped the rebound home.

Two minutes later Palace fell behind for the first time when Claude Davis, who had been excellent all night, inexplicably pushed Bogdanovic in the back and Taylor pointed to the spot for a third time.

Bogdanovic easily scored the penalty but was then sent off in the last minute of time added on for a high tackle on Clyne that also looked a harsh decision.

A point would have been a fair result but referee Taylor spoilt the game – with both managers criticising him after the game.