A sweltering Selhurst Park saw Palace fell to another pre-season defeat in their last friendly before the Premiership kicks off on Saturday.
The game was decided by a late free-kick from Sergio Volpi, who hammered home the winner from 18 yards with just 15 minutes remaining.
The goal was harsh on a Palace side who had competed well throughout the match, but there were plenty of positives to take from the game.
Emerson Boyce, filling in for the injured Danny Butterfield, put in an assured performance that will surely have pleased his manager.
And Sandor Torghelle looked promising on his debut for the Eagles, linking up well with a lively AJ.
"Sandor played his first game and it may have been a bit long for him," Dowie told the official site. "He did well and he got stronger as the game went on.
"He's good in the air, his touch is excellent, he's mobile, and he's got a hunger about him," continued Dowie. "He's very brave and he also has very good feet for a big man. He sees the picture and he's aware and makes good little passes and we saw some good interchanges of play today."
Palace: Speroni; Boyce (Leigertwood 82), Hudson (Togwell 84), Popovic (Powell 76), Granville (Borrowdale 82); Routledge (Soares 82), Riihilahti (Derry 69), Hughes (Watson 69), Kolkka (Williams 88); Johnson (Black 76), Torghelle (Freedman 76).