Town's reserves fell to a 1-0 defeat against Southampton at Portman Road on Wednesday evening. A thoroughly dull game was only enlivened by Arron Davies' excellent 81st minute winner for the Saints.

The first half was uneventful with few chances at either end. James Pullen in the Town goal had a couple of panicky moments, failing to hold onto crossed balls, but he made amends with a headed clearance outside his own area after Gaardsøe and Beevers had collided.

Alun Armstrong had a header saved by Williams in the Southampton goal from a Matt Richards cross which the Saints' defenders had failed to clear. Later he just failed to get a touch on a cross from the right which flew by the post.

Otherwise there was little but speculative efforts from Abidallah and Bloomfield which failed to trouble the keeper.

Armstrong made way at the break, suggesting he may have a bigger part to play in the first team on Saturday. Matt Robinson took his place up front.

The second half was hardly a improvement on the first, the only action of note in the early stages Ian Westlake becoming the first player to be booked for a foul on Brian Howard.

The first shot of the half took until the 78th minute to come, sub Dickinson bringing a save from Williams with an effort from the edge of the area. The flame-haired wingman had added greater cohesion to the Town side after replacing the disappointing Abidallah.

Southampton's first effort in the second period followed a couple of minute later, Matthew Crowell sending Gaardsøe's misplaced pass well over from 20 yards.

The game looked like it had 0-0 writ large upon it until, with nine minutes left on the clock, the Saints went ahead. Thomas Gaardsøe was caught in the Southampton half as Arron Davies took the ball from deep in Town territory past a couple of defenders and into the area before slotting past Pullen.

It was a fine goal and stuck out like a sore thumb in what was generally a very poor game.

Town: Pullen, Okay (Chaffey 25), Richards, Bloomfield, Beevers, Gaardsøe, Abidallah (Dickinson 64), Westlake, Morrow, Armstrong (Robinson 46), Hogg. Att. 587. Regular reserves reporter Old Git is away visiting his Aunty Mavis in Hunstanton.

Photo: Action Images

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