Jim Magilton was one of two players sent off for violent conduct in the latter stages as the Blues lost the opening match of their pre-season tour of Hungary 3-2 to Újpest. Town were in front twice during the first half through a Darren Currie penalty and Dean Bowditch.

Újpest started the game brightly and Lewis Price was forced into a couple of early saves.

However, Town went ahead in the 12th minute after Nicky Forster was fouled on the left side of the box close to the byline by Tóth Balázs. Darren Currie stepped up to take the penalty, putting the ball to the keeper's left and sending him the wrong way.

Four minutes later, the Blues lost possession and the home side broke quickly, Hungarian international striker Péter Rajczi striking a powerful cross-shot past Price and into corner of the net.

On 17 Nicky Forster was sent away clear but hit a tame shot and appeared to injure himself in the process. After a couple of minutes he was replaced with Dean Bowditch.

Price made a fantastic save in the 24th minute, diving to his right but overall the Blues were playing the better football. On 32 good work from Magilton and Parkin led to Bowditch hitting a shot against a post.

Just before the break, Magilton had a shot blocked just in front of the line and from the resultant corner the Blues went back in front. Parkin headed on at the near post and Bowditch finished from close range to send Town in 2-1 up at the break.

The Blues continued to look comfortable as the second half started quietly but on 55 the Town defence was caught out by long ball. Rajczi got in behind De Vos and fired past Price, giving the keeper no chance.

Just before the hour mark, Bowditch made a great turn on the edge of the box but the keeper saved low to his left.

Town were continuing to play the better football, passing the ball about slickly, while Újpest went for a more direct approach. But on 80 the Blues lost the ball in midfield ball the home side broke again and Vituska fired a shot across Price and into the net.

With a minute remaining there was a flare-up in midfield, Újpest striker Rajczi appeared to headbutt Jim Magilton, the Town skipper pushed him away and melee involving all the players ensued. Once the referee had regained control, Magilton and Rajczi were both sent off, the Town man somewhat harshly.

The final action of the game saw Fabian Wilnis pick a yellow card for a foul on Vituska.

Amongst the most impressive Town players were Owen Garvan, who looked classy in the holding midfield role, while Darren Currie was perhaps the Blues' man of the match.

Westlake was lively throughout and Parkin worked hard, held the ball up well, had little in the way of chances but was involved in at least one of the goals. There were about 100 travelling Town fans in a crowd of 2,200.

Town: Price, Wilnis, Richards, Garvan, Naylor, De Vos, Magilton, Forster (Bowditch 21), Parkin, Currie, Westlake. Unused: Supple, McDonald, Collins, Casement, Trotter.

Photo: Action Images

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