Palace won 2-0 thanks to goals from Dani Munoz and Eddie Nketiah, with Cardines introduced in the closing minutes by manager Oliver Glasner.
"I'm still buzzing," he told Palace TV at full-time. "But I'm just grateful to get the opportunity and be part of such a historic team and one that's going on something incredible.
"It's been surreal, just to be a part of it. Obviously, it's not something that I'm used to, so I just want to make it the norm for me now and hopefully kick on a bit.
"When the red card was shown he (the manager) wasn't too sure (about the change), but was just saying 'do your thing and stay focused.'
"I just want to work hard and just keep showing myself, and just hope for the best for the team. If I keep working hard it will come."