Town exited the Capital One Cup at the first round stage as Izale McLeod’s extra-time goal saw League One Crawley to a 1-0 win at the Broadfield Stadium. Debutant sub Teddy Bishop (pictured) went closest for the Blues, who really ought to have had the game won within the 90 minutes, when he hit the bar.

Town handed the expected debuts to 17-year-old Matt Clarke, keeper Bartosz Bialkowski and winger Alex Henshall, while Jack Marriott and Kevin Bru made their first Blues starts.

In a side featuring eight changes from the team which started against Fulham, there was also a rare start for transfer-listed Paul Taylor.

Clarke lined-up at left-back with Elliott Hewitt at right-back and skipper Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence.

In central midfield, Bru partnered Anthony Wordsworth with Henshall on the left and Taylor on the right. Marriott was up front with Frank Nouble.

On five Taylor ran into trouble having done well to beat his man midway inside the Crawley half, then Lanre Oyebanjo shot well over from distance for the home side.

Izale McLeod shot just wide for the Red Devils, who lined-up with five men in midfield, then on 12 Nouble snatched at a Chambers long ball which the Crawley defence had failed to deal with and his shot looped well over.

Two minutes later, Bru picked up his first yellow card in English football for a foul on Conor Henderson, who was on trial with the Blues last summer. On 17 Henshall joined him for a trip on Bobson Bawling.

Berra headed wide from a Hewitt long throw on the right with the opening 20 minutes having been an even affair.

Town should have gone in front in the 21st minute when Wordsworth played a superb pass into the path of Nouble from midway inside the Crawley half towards the left after Clarke had brought the ball out of defence, but the Blues striker diverted the ball wide from 10 yards when he seemed certain to open his account for the season.

On 25 Gwion Edwards saw a shot deflect into the Town side-netting from a tight angle, then home skipper Joe Walsh just failed to get his head to Henderson’s freekick from the left after a foul by Wordsworth.

As the half moved towards its final five minutes with the Blues increasingly on top, Taylor skipped into the area on the right before hitting a shot which was blocked.

In injury time McLeod was somewhat harshly booked for handling Taylor’s freekick while in the wall. The Blues striker curled the resultant second freekick well wide.

The scores remained level at the break after an evenly balanced half. Both sides had had half-chances in the main with Town the game’s once significant opportunity, which Nouble spurned.

Debutant teenager Clarke had looked comfortable at left-back with Henshall a threat when running at the Crawley defence, albeit without creating a chance so far, while Bialkowski had, like his Red Devils counterpart Brian Jensen, had been largely untroubled.

Winger Henshall hit the second half’s first effort well over, then Taylor failed to latch on to Clarke’s chipped cross from the left after the academy second-year scholar had exchanged passes with Nouble, who moments later hit a low shot which Jensen claimed low to his left.

Town continued their bright start to the second half, Taylor using his pace as the Blues broke following a Crawley attack but his pass to Nouble was too weak.

Taylor curled a shot just wide from 20 yards in the 57th minute having been found by Bru, who had put in a neat and tidy display in central midfield.

Town went within inches of going in front just before the hour when Bru played in Hewitt on the right and the Wales U21 international sent across a low ball which Nouble, Clarke and Henshall all just failed to reach.

The Blues were looking more and more threatening and a minute later again went close. Jensen was unable to hold on to Taylor’s powerful shot from the edge of the box, Nouble reached the loose ball first and found Hewitt, who couldn’t get in a clean shot and Crawley cleared their lines.

Marriott, who had had little opportunity to show his prowess in front of goal, was swapped for Balint Bajner on 63, then moments later Bialkowski was forced to tip away Edwards’s cross from the right which otherwise might have sneaked under his bar.

On 66 Taylor hit another powerful effort from distance, this time the ball deflecting wide off Oyebanjo. Five minutes later, the former Posh man, who had been Town’s best player since the break, hit a 25-yard freekick into the Reds wall.

Walsh appeared to pull Bajner back as the Hungarian broke into the area in the 74th minute but neither referee Andy Haines or his assistant saw it. A minute later Jimmy Smith was booked for a foul on Wordsworth.

On 77 midfielder Teddy Bishop was handed his debut, the 18-year-old first-year pro taking over from the impressive Bru in central midfield.

A minute later McLeod missed a rare opportunity for the home side when Berra’s clearance fell to him not far outside the area with Bialkowski out of his ground, the former Derby man blazing over.

Darren McQueen, the 19-year-old striker signed from Spurs in the summer, came on to make his debut in the 79th minute, taking over from Taylor.

Jensen saved from Bajner on 81, Edwards picking up a booking for a foul on Henshall in the build-up. Moments later, Ryan Dickson’s cross from the left found Edwards, who scraped the ball well wide.

With a minute of normal time remaining debutant sub Bishop came within a whisker of winning it in normal time. The midfielder unleashed a superb 30-yard strike, which beat Jensen, cannoned off the underside of the bar and out to Nouble, whose first touch took the ball away from him and out of play.

Seconds later, as the fourth official’s board signalled four additional minutes, Clarke was booked for a foul.

As the end of the 90 minutes drew close, Bialkowski got down to his left to save from McLeod at one end and then, after Henshall had brought the ball forward, Bajner saw an effort blocked.

Before either side could threaten again referee Haines blew his whistle to signal 30 minutes of extra time.

Town had been much the better side after the break and had gone close to going in front on a number of occasions with Taylor the main danger, but with Bishop going closest with his late effort.

Chances were rarer in the opening 15 minutes of additional time, although Bialkowski was forced to come off his line quickly to clear ahead of McLeod. On 11 Hewitt was booked for pulling back a Crawley player.

Soon after, Smith sent a dangerous freekick from the left across the face of Bialkowski’s goal.

Neither side threatened again before the referee blew for half-time in extra time with Crawley having had the better of the first additional period.

And the home side remained on top during the second half of extra-time and in the 110th minute they went in front. After Town failed to clear a Crawley corner on the left, the ball ricocheted around before finding its way into the path of McLeod, who hooked home from close range.

The Blues never seriously looked like getting back on terms in the remaining 10 minutes, McQueen’s high and wide effort the nearest they came, and their Capital One Cup campaign was ended by a side from a lower division for the ninth time in 12 seasons.

Town really ought to have had the game won within the 90, Nouble missing his first half chance and several players - most notably Bishop - coming close in the second in which the Blues were very much on top.

The home side were the better team in extra-time and looked the more likely victors before McLeod netted the game’s scruffy winner.

Crawley: Jensen, Oyebanjo, Bradley, Leacock, Walsh (c), Edwards, Henderson (O’Connor 93), Smith, Bawling (Dickson 63), Young (Banya 55), McLeod. Unused: Essam, Rose, Richefond, Isaacs.

Town: Bialkowski, Hewitt, Chambers (c), Berra, Clarke, Bru (Bishop 77), Wordsworth, Taylor (McQueen 88), Henshall, Nouble, Marriott (Bajner 63). Unused: Gerken, Wyatt, Lawrence, Hyam. Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear). Att: 3,043 (Town: 823).

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 13:17 - Aug 13 So due to our owner penny pinching and not getting a squad at least the size of last seasons we can only hope to concentrate on the league and forget about the cup competitions...very poor excuse and not acceptable, as mentioned the possibility of future bigger matches, momentum in winning and more revenue if we progressed. Poor all round from the club.
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MRKINGVIP added 13:36 - Aug 13 I understand what you are saying but financial fair play comes into it in a big way next season and clubs with massive wage structures could really fall flat on their face! McCormack for 8-11 mil = Ridiculous in comparison to MM getting McGoldrick on a free! MM is performing incredibly well with a small budget, its up to the owner if he wants to give MM extra money going forwards. In my opinion, when MM took over we were bottom, he saved us from relegation... The first full season he had in charge we really get close to the playoffs... This season we have started by beating one of the favourites to go back up to the Prem and the feel good factor is back in town.... This all means the club as a whole is performing well in the competition that really matters! It's all good, usually on the forums the moaners prove that they would never be happy and when you talk to the fans who actually go to the games they seem happy with everything!

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TractorWood added 13:44 - Aug 13 Fair play to the 830 odd who went - great support. Especially considering we've got 3 reasonably close away games inside a week. I'm still positive about Saturday!
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TimmyH added 13:47 - Aug 13 @MRKINGVIP - I doubt it! you talk to the supporters at games and their happy, you obviously haven't been talking to some of the season ticket holders on here then and particularly the style of football we play!
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karls_dad added 14:45 - Aug 13 Pathetic! The real losers are the fans that spent hard earnt money going! and as for Nouble, if MM puts him in the team against you know who in a few weeks, well i,m done with the man as manager! Nouble should never ever grace a town shirt again, he is an insult to our proud history! total waste of space!
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IpswichFan26 added 14:51 - Aug 13 I agree that Taylor may have had some harsh treatment at times at ITFC, but lets remember that he's reportedly our highest paid player and he's not done enough to merit it. Lets also remember that we are trying to follow FFP and we are in miles of debt so Taylor and his wages aren't helping as he is not proving himself enough to play. Probably for the best that he leaves for all parties involved

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TractorBoy85 added 15:39 - Aug 13 Seeing a variety off comments trying to back the players after another embarrassing exit from the cup by yet another lower league team is ridiculous. Yeah why not have an opportunity to make a little bit of history when we could have a few more days off for league games. Why start a majority of our starting 11 when we could start a bunch of reserve players to not risk any injuries or risk tiredness. It's these sort of reasons that I think are actually in the heads of the club itself. I've given up on going to cup games as the club doesn't seem to have enough ambition to go for these competitions. I still have high hopes for this season and of course will get behind the team for every league game. Respect to those fans who made the journey to see another poor cup performance.

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Seasider added 15:55 - Aug 13 What gets me is why our Manager persists in playing Nouble.He was pathetic and missed 3 good chances including a sitter;but stayed on at the expense of Taylor,who did well,and Marriott who didn't but is a better goal scorer than Frank but then most players are! I think I may have the answer,as a few days ago Mick hinted that if people(presumably the press and fans) questioned his decisions,then he is more likely to do the opposite to what they want. This is typical of a Yorkshireman,as they are always right;but after tonights showing Mick must realise that big Frank is a lost cause.If he still persists in playing him then he is being bloody minded to the detriment of the club,who may have got a result last night if the above wasn't playing.

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GerkensBeard added 20:52 - Aug 13 Will anyone actually care if we beat reading Saturday? What means more getting to like the 3rd round of the league cup or premier league? This is a mickey mouse cup and every manager takes the opportunity to play there youngsters or reserves. The moaners have come out after the first attempt because they didn't have anything to complain about Saturday. From what I heard on the radio there was some good performances from our youngsters and reserves and if the score is 1-0 AET against Crawley's strongest XI then im not too bothered, we were the better side in the game and should of won it but there you go. And I believe that mick would of like to of played more of his first team but as he stated about 5 or 6 have got knocks and wouldn't be risked.

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JWM added 22:16 - Aug 13 And guess who Crawley have been drawn against in the next round.... No prizes!
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Tonyitfc82 added 23:01 - Aug 13 Cloddyseedbed. Not only that im not bothered that we lost.but IM GLAD that we lost. Because with the small team we have we are going to find it very difficult this season to keep up with the top 6 let alone have a cup run as well. We cant do both with the small squad we have. Any one with very small minded football brain gets this. I dont know what you are talking about....!!!!!

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cornishblu added 23:14 - Aug 13 ....and of course we didn't want to play Norwich away did we.....full house loads of money.....rubbish cup never brings us good games!!!........point proven by the draw.....these glad we are out if the cup lot drive me bonkers!!!!!!!.....COYB
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portmanteau added 23:27 - Aug 13 to all on here making excuses for itfc, we were once a big club in the big time and now we are reduced to expecting not to beat lower league opposition. no money being spent apparently because we owe around £80m to the owner. managers often leave because the budget for new players isnt big enough but ours has no budget at all ( while he draws a mill or so a year) so how on earth does anyone think we can make any progress? to paraphrase AH, you cant win anything with freebies. all the half-decent players released last season are being snapped up, the latest being shane long, sold by a club we would routinely wallop not so long ago. we are out of our depth now and the club is just a tax vehicle for a businessman. until that situation changes I do not think we will see any improvement on the mediocrity served up in recent seasons.

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GerkensBeard added 00:06 - Aug 14 So in the part where you say there's been no improvement did you consider that in one season we went from relegation certainties to playoff challengers, and now possibly a sustained playoff challenge this season? And you say about freebies is there another centre half partnership you would want from any other team in this league? And would you want someone other than McGoldrick who I believe is the all round most talented centre forward in the division? I know our squad is small and may not have a lot of quality but it is solid and a couple of players can produce magic at any point of the game. So that begs the question would you rather have this team full of freebies who all work hard for each other and are challenging for top 6 or the side made up of big money signings, big wages which together with Keane and Jewell their highest place finish was 14th? Laughable how some fans have such short memories.

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Cloddyseedbed added 08:15 - Aug 14 Tonyitfc82, to refer to anyone who does not agree with you as of limited brainpower is a bit rich coming from a so called supporter who wants his team to loose. I suspect it is you with your superior brainpower, watch a weak team exit the cup, so supporters have no chance of seeing a premiership club at Portman Road, is the looser. I'm quite happy being inferior to you in your thoughts anyway! I'll always want the best from my team and expect it.

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portmanteau added 16:38 - Aug 14 gerkensbeard sorry but you are a dreamer. I doubt very much that there is another team that has spent the grand sum of 25k in two seasons and still thinks it can get into the prem. good players cost money and we dont have any for reasons I outlined earlier. things will only get better when we have paid off the £80m debt to ME, which of course is never going to happen. I would like to know just how such a huge sum was incurred. meanwhile the cups are our only faint hope of success and keeping the fans interest. 50% of our chances this season have just gone out of the window as they do every season. " saving ourselves for the league" ! you're having a laugh.

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bomber21 added 18:20 - Aug 14 We all know we need we new players and to ship out a few,but if any player out there watched us wouid he honestly be interested in coming here,i dont think so.
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portmanteau added 23:38 - Aug 14 there go palace, another club we could usually see off every season, once upon a time. no problem in signing players like kelly campbell and hangeland. we need to learn from them how a so-called "small club" can manage it while itfc a so-called big club can't. and give the likes of norwich and bournemouth a call as well. we are now trapped in the cycle of no money = no success= dismal performances= no money ad nauseum... I have come to this conclusion not just after yet another humiliating cup defeat but after countless seasons of mostly unwatchable football. this season will be no different. I blame it on the fools who got rid of royle and then magilton.

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Tonyitfc82 added 00:06 - Aug 15 Cloddyseedbed. So why didnt we put out on field the same 11 that played against Fulham? MM knows with the squad we have we cant have a cup run if we want to make top 6. Simple. I would love to see Town win every single game as much as you and any other town fan. But we have to be realistic and not daydream.
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portmanteau added 16:36 - Aug 15 tonyitfc82. I see now. I didnt realise before just how this saving ourselves for the league twaddle worked. so MM gets them in a huddle before the crawley game and says remember lads we dont want a cup run because it will affect our chances of a top 6 finish. so go out and you know what to do... sounds dangerously like throwing a match which should interest the football league authorities if no one else.

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Tonyitfc82 added 21:02 - Aug 15 portmanteau. Im sure MM didnt say go out there and lose. He put out a very weak side that had small chance of winning. If we had made it through MM would have put the same 11 out in the next round nomatter who we were playing.
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portmanteau added 23:58 - Aug 15 tonyitfc82. lets call it a draw. I hope I'm proved wrong. cheers
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