Richard Naylor turned from gamekeeper to poacher to score the winner for Town's reserves at home to Fulham. Naylor, who had started the game at centre-back, moved up front in the second half and scrambled home the game's only goal on 80 minutes.

The Blues lined-up with one of their most experienced second-string sides this season; Chris Bart-Williams, Richard Naylor, Georges Santos, Drissa Diallo, Martijn Reuser and Alun Armstrong all featuring in Steve McCall's team.

For Fulham, ex-Blue Bobby Petta returned to Portman Road for the first time, while first teamers Ian Pearce, Junichi Inamoto, Facundo Sava and Barry Hayles also started.

The first half was notable only for its mediocrity. Martin Reuser came closest to scoring for Town, his low 25-yard shot palmed away by Ross Flitney in the Cottagers' goal.

At the other end, Adam Green nearly caught Lewis Price off guard with a looping cross and later put the ball on the roof of the Town net, but those three opportunities remained the extent of the first half chances.

Naylor switched to an attacking role at the break, Georges Santos moving into defence and Liam Craig from striker to midfield.

The versatile Blues' stalwart made a big difference and two minutes after the break hit the post from close in when getting on the end of a Scott Mitchell cross from the right.

Town were having the better of it but on 50 Lewis Price did well to stop the visitors from going ahead when he brilliantly tipped over a Stuart Noble shot from close in on the left.

The Blues went looking for a goal but found staunch opposition in the shape of keeper Flitney, who saved well from Naylor when he looked certain to score from a superb Reuser right-wing cross.

Soon after, the keeper saved from Armstrong, sporting what could progress towards being a mullet, who had been threaded through the middle by Naylor.

Bart-Williams curled a 25-yard freekick over and Naylor had a shot saved before Steve McCall made two changes; Alfie Kamara and Stuart Boardley replacing Daniel Flack and Liam Craig.

Boardley hit a shot off the stanchion in the 77rth minute, as it appeared a Town goal wouldn't come.

However, with 10 minutes remaining, Armstrong crossed from the right of the penalty area and Naylor scrambled home from six yards out, leaving Flitney with little chance.

Almost immediately Boardley should have put Town two goals up, Reuser playing a low ball across the area, but the left-sided midfielder slipping the ball wide of the post. The same player again went close before the end, shooting wide after good work from Naylor.

An entertaining second half from the Blues with a win deserved on the balance of play; Lewis Price's goal rarely threatened by the Fulham attack, although this may have been different had Sava not gone off injured within a few minutes of the start.

Martijn Reuser was probably the pick of the Town players, sending in some sublime crosses and working hard in the midfield, particularly in the second half when he moved into the middle.

Richard Naylor showed his ability up front, although probably ought to have scored earlier than the 80th minute.

At the back Santos and Diallo kept the Fulham front men in check, while Chris Bart-Williams appeared to come through the 90 minutes without any serious effects.

Alun Armstrong, set to leave Portman Road in the summer, had a quiet game and seems unlikely to have impressed any watching scouts.

Winger Bobby Petta, back at a much-changed Portman Road for the first time since he left for Celtic on a Bosman in 1999, showed the odd moment of skill but was largely kept quiet by Town captain Scott Mitchell, the pick of the Blues' youngsters.

Reserves: Price, Mitchell, Barron, Santos, Diallo, Naylor, Flack (Kamara 73), Reuser, Armstrong (Clarke 88), Craig (Boardley 73), Bart-Williams.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls