A largely fringe Town side beat Neil Thompson's Boston 2-0 at York Street on Wednesday night. An early goal from Ian Westlake put the Blues ahead and Alun Armstrong added a 30-yard stunner seven minutes before the end.

Unwanted keeper Andy Marshall made his first appearance of pre-season while Matt Richards and Jermaine Wright were using the game to help them gain fitness after injuries.

Ian Westlake put the Blues ahead on 10 when he cut inside former Norwich defender Daryl Sutch on the edge of the area before hitting a deflected shot into the net.

The Blues could have scored more in the first half, Jermaine Wright and Alun Armstrong missing good chances while Dean Bowditch sent a volley well over.

The second period saw the introduction of John McGreal and Matt Bloomfield, both back for the first time since picking up a knee ligament injuries towards the end of last season.

Town looked in control throughout with Wright and Abidallah impressive in the centre of midfield. Marshall had a somewhat typical performance, a fine save from Weatherstone was followed a few minutes later by a missed cross.

With the game looking like it would end with just the single goal, Alun Armstrong conjured something out of nothing when he spotted the keeper off his line from 30 yards, just to the right of centre. The striker sent his effort inch-perfect off the bar and in for his first goal of the pre-season games.

Former Town man Richard Logan was kept in check by youngsters Gerard Nash and Aidan Collins while McGreal looked comfortable when he came on in the second period. Bloomfield put in an all action display after he entered the fray.

Surprisingly for a friendly with virtually no serious fouls referee Uriah Rennie decided to book four players (Collins and McGreal for Town), something which didn't go down well with either set of fans.

Town: Marshall, Mitchell (Bloomfield 46), Richards (Hogg 60), Kamara (McGreal 46), Collins, Nash, Abidallah (Morrow 75), Wright, Armstrong, Bowditch, Westlake.

Photo: Action Images

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