It was a cagey start to this meeting of two of the favourites to win the competition, which was perhaps unsurprising, given both teams were yet to concede before HT in the Conference League this season.
That record did not last much longer for Strasbourg, though, as Palace took the lead 10 minutes before HT. Jean-Philippe Mateta showed great strength to hold off Lucas Høgsberg with his back to goal, before laying the ball into the path of Tyrick Mitchell to finish into the far corner.
It was only the fifth goal in more than 200 Eagles appearances for the left back.
Palace should have had another moments later when Strasbourg goalkeeper Mike Penders inexplicably wandered out of his penalty area, but Ismaïla Sarr’s shot from range hit the inside of the post and bounced to safety.
Penders redeemed himself with a good save from Yéremy Pino five minutes before HT, and that would prove vital just eight minutes after the restart, when the hosts restored parity.
Diego Moreira raced down the left and laid on a perfect cross for captain Emmanuel Emegha, who side-footed his seventh goal of the season past Dean Henderson.
Liam Rosenior’s side were in the ascendancy, but they received a massive let-off six minutes later. Penders again went walkabout and Adam Wharton stole possession on the edge of the penalty area, only to hit the crossbar with the goal gaping.
The goalkeeper then made another brilliant save from Pino - and once again Strasbourg scored shortly after. With 13 minutes remaining, Julio Enciso’s free-kick from 20 yards came back off the crossbar and the ball fell to 19-year-old El Mourabet, who finished calmly.
Henderson kept Palace in it when he tipped Kendry Páez’s shot over the crossbar from point-blank range, but Strasbourg held on to make it 10 points from four matches in the Conference League.
Palace, meanwhile, are four points further back as their five-match unbeaten run comes to an end.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Diego Moreira (Strasbourg)
