Town's reserves lost 4-1 to a Chelsea side that included Finnish striker Mikael Forssell at Portman Road on Tuesday night. The Blues had taken the lead through Dean McDonald, but the class of Forssell gave Chelsea the points.

Reserve-team debutant Stuart Ainsley almost gave Town the lead on 11 minutes. Chelsea keeper Lenny Pidgeley came rushing out of his goal and only cleared the ball to Ainsley, but his left-foot shot from the touchline was headed over by Michael Mancienne.

Two minutes later and Chelsea broke. A chip came into the box in and both Jimmy Smith and Danny Woodards went for the same ball, but Lewis Price made a smart save with his legs at his near post.

On 23, a long ball over the top was chased by Filipe Oliveira, but Daniel Flack denied him with a superb sliding tackle.

Ten minutes later Town took the lead. Danny Haynes won a corner after hard work near the corner flag. The ball was floated in and Dean McDonald executed a superb volley into the bottom corner which gave Pidgeley no chance.

On 36, McDonald cut in from the left and hit a left-foot shot which flew just over the bar.

In the one minute of stoppage time, Town nearly scored but ended up conceding. Great skill from McDonald saw him beat a defender and hit a shot which Pidgeley had to save. Chelsea then broke and Mikael Forssell was allowed to run across the Town penalty area and he scored with a good left-foot finish from 18 yards.

At half-time, Chelsea made a substitution by replacing Adrian Pettigrew with Filipe Morais.

Two minutes after the re-start, Drissa Diallo had to make a saving tackle to deny Forssell a second goal. Lewis Price then made a great save, denying Filipe Oliveira from a one-on-one situation.

The Welshman made another good stop on 53. Substitute Filipe Morais bundled his way through and Price made a reaction save from six yards out.

On 54, Chelsea made their second substitution. Joe Tillen replaced Danny Woodards. Two minutes later and Adem Atay replaced Danny Haynes for Town.

Pidgeley had to make a diving save on the hour, denying Stuart Ainsley after a shot from around 25 yards was heading into the top corner.

Three minutes later and Chelsea took the lead. A dangerous cross in eluded Price and Diallo allowing Forssell to slide in at the back post to score his second of the game.

On 69, Charlie Sheringham replaced Stuart Ainsley for Ipswich. Two minutes later and Chelsea made their final substitution by replacing Mikael Forssell with Dean Furman.

With eight minutes remaining, Chelsea sealed all three points. Dean Smith started and finished the move by passing the ball out from the back and continuing his run to convert Oliveira's cross.

Pidgeley then made a good save from Atay, but then Chelsea scored their fourth. It came on 89 minutes. After a high ball over the Ipswich defence Danny Hollands placed a delightful lob over Price to complete the scoring.

Town: Lewis Price, Daniel Flack, Matt Richards, Fraser Beveridge, Drissa Diallo, Ben Patten, Danny Haynes (Adem Atay 55), Jimmy Juan, James Scowcroft, Dean McDonald, Stuart Ainsley (Charlie Sheringham 68). UNUSED SUBS: Shane Supple (GK), Blair Hammond.

Chelsea: Lenny Pidgeley, Dean Smith, Michael Mancienne, Adrian Pettigrew (Filipe Morais 45), Sam Tillen; Jimmy Smith, Nuno Morais, Danny Hollands; Filipe Oliveira, Mikael Forssell (Dean Furman 70), Danny Woodards (Joe Tillen 52). Unused: James Russell (GK), Ben Hudell. Ref:: Mr M Thorpe. Att: 798.

Thanks to James Ager for the report.

Photo: Action Images

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