CRYSTAL PALACE'S precise passing, on a pitch that demanded icy precision, enabled the first division team to dominate large areas of an entertaining English ]FA Cup tie last night at Selhurst Park after an early flurry of goals had left Leeds United grimly defending a 2-1 lead. This they managed to do for an hour until Carl Veart headed the scores level.

Palace thought they were about to reach the fourth round when Bruce Dyer, having been brought down by Lucas Radebe, prepared to take his second hotly-contested penalty three minutes from the end. But Nigel Martyn blocked the kick, and Dyer drove the rebound wide.

Despite the fact that neither side has been in top form of late, by the eighth minute last night three goals had been scored and nothing had been settled.

Leeds took the lead after two minutes when Brian Deane drove the ball past Chris Day after a free-kick from Radebe. Three minutes later Paul Beesley was adjudged to have handled as he challenged Dyer for George Ndah's centre, and Dyer's penalty brought the scores level as Leeds seethed.

Not that they seethed for long. Another three minutes and Deane drove the ball in towards the near post, whereupon Leif Andersen turned it past his own goalkeeper.

Ten minutes before half-time only an outstanding save by Martyn, the former Palace goalkeeper, to keep out a thunderous shot from Veart, preserved Leeds's lead.

Palace's possession meant nothing unless they could score, but in the 69th minute Kevin Muscat feinted to cross with his right foot before centering with his left, and Veart's firm header brought the tie level.