Goals from Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta helped Crystal Palace come from behind to defeat Millwall 2-1 in an FA Cup third round South London derby at The Den.

The Lions took the lead inside 20 minutes when Benik Afobe dispossessed Jack Butland in his own six-yard box before firing into an empty net. 

It was a dominant first-half display from Gary Rowett's side, who would have felt unlucky not to go into the break with a two-goal advantage after Afobe and George Saville both had good opportunities.

But the visitors shot out the traps after the interval as Olise cut inside and curled into the far post in the opening minute of the second half to draw Palace level.

Olise nearly scored in almost identical fashion a few minutes later. The midfielder manoeuvring onto his stronger side once again but saw his effort strike the post.

Patrick Vieira's side took the lead just before the hour mark as Olise sent an in-swinging cross into the box which was met by the head of Mateta.

The hosts enjoyed a bright spell in the last 20 minutes of the game, going close in injury time when Matt Smith headed into Butland's hands.

But Palace held on to advance to the FA Cup fourth round for just the second time in five years.

Millwall boss Rowett was pleased with his side's valiant performance. He said: "I thought we played really well for most of the game.

"I thought the first half was a really good performance in many ways — both on the ball and off the ball, I thought we were excellent.

"We concede a really poor goal in the 46th minute — you can't do that against Premier League opposition.

"I thought we stayed in the game quite well but you can't give two goals to a Premier League side and that's the disappointing thing."

Vieira spoke glowingly of his side's character after the full-time whistle. 

He said: "I was happy with the first half that we played, but we didn't use the ball well enough.

"We conceded a goal by a mistake that we made and we wanted to win the game because we wanted to support Jack [Butland].

"But I was really pleased with the character and determination we showed in the second half."

Did you know?

Afobe's opener for the Lions was his first in the FA Cup since November 2014 for MK Dons against Port Vale.

At 20 years and 27 days, Olise is the youngest player to score an FA Cup goal for Crystal Palace since Sean Scannell against Leicester in January 2009.

Five of the starlet's seven goal involvements for the Eagles have come in London derbies.

Palace bossed possession, with 57% to Millwall's 43%.

The Eagles mustered 12 efforts on goal but just four troubled Lions keeper George Long. 

As you would expect in a competitive London derby, the match featured plenty of fouls. Millwall gave away 10 and Palace were pulled up on 12 occasions by ref Anthony Taylor.