Town fell to their fourth successive pre-season defeat against Spanish side Atlético Madrid. The Blues went ahead against the run of play through Ian Westlake but former Chelsea man Mateja Kezman equalised on the stroke of half-time and Pablo Ibáñez netted the winner just after the hour mark.

The Blues started with trialist Sito at right-back with Fabian Wilnis moving to the left of the defence. Jimmy Juan came into the centre of the midfield, while Dean McDonald started wide on the right with Sam Parkin up front on his own.

Keeper Lewis Price was quickly into the action, saving from Maxi Rodríguez inside the first minute.

Trialist Sito would probably have got his name in the referee's book for a late tackle in a league game, however referee Kevin Wright sensibly decided to keep his cards in his pocket.

Price was again in the action in the seventh minute when Kezman's attempt from a corner was helped on by Braulio but the Town keeper was equal to it.

De Vos did well to block a shot on the edge of the area as the Blues spent the early stages largely under the cosh.

However, in the 19th minute, Town went in front with their first serious attack of the game. Westlake and McDonald completed a one-two on the edge of the area, the midfielder breaking into the box and beating Leo Franco with a low right foot shot.

On 22 the lively McDonald won a freekick on the right which Darren Currie sent into the area. Sam Parkin won the ball but his header was deflected out of play. From Currie's corner, the former Swindon man headed wide.

Price made a superb save from Kezman four minutes later, the former Chelsea man seeming certain to score when the ball was cut back from the right, only for the Town keeper to react quickly to dive to his right and block his shot.

Richard Naylor almost got on the end of a Currie freekick from the right before Price pulled off another save from the increasingly frustrated Kezman.

On 44 Leo Franco failed to hold on to a 20-yard Jim Magilton volley but was first to the loose ball.

Just before the break, Sito was beaten around the outside by Bulgarian international Martin Petrov who played a low ball across the area. Price once again saved well, this time from Maxi Rodríguez, but Kezman followed up to score.

Price had undoubtedly been the man of the match in the first half saving Town on a number of occasions. Trialist Sito had shown he was comfortable on the ball and made one or two decent passes and challenges, however he was badly at fault on the goal.

The former Racing Club de Ferrol man was replaced at the break, Matt Richards taking over on the left and Fabian Wilnis moving over to the right. Darren Currie, who had sent in a number of decent crosses from the right flank, was replaced by Owen Garvan.

Richard Naylor and Petrov had a minor disagreement in a defensive wall as Town prepared to take a freekick in the 49th minute. After referee Wright had calmed things down, Magilton curled the kick narrowly over the crossbar.

Braulio unleashed a fearsome 30-yard striker on 58 which beat Price but cannoned back off the bar. But four minutes later the Spanish side did get the ball in the net. Pablo Ibáñez rose unchallenged at the near post and headed a corner from the right into the net.

A minute later Sam Parkin came close to opening his Town goals account. Matt Richards sent in a cross from the left and the summer signing headed wide.

Both sides made several more changes in the latter stages as the Spaniards continued to have the better of the game. Price made one more save from Kezman, while sub Kevin Horlock shot over from 25 yards.

Once again Owen Garvan impressed after coming on, passing the ball around stylishly and making some solid challenges, while 16-year-old Liam Trotter looked by no means overawed when he was introduced late in the second half.

Dean McDonald showed some good touches and drew several freekicks from the Atlético defenders during the first half, while Parkin came close to scoring his first Town goal and got more involved in the play but still looks like he needs time to settle into the side.

Atlético fully deserved their win and but for Price's excellent display could have scored more goals. The Blues passed the ball around well at times but created few chances, particularly in the second half.

After four games and four defeats against stronger than usual pre-season opposition, the Blues complete their preparations when they face Colchester United at Layer Road on Tuesday night in Brian Owen's testimonial.

Town: Price, Sito (Richards 46), Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Juan (Horlock 56), Magilton (Trotter 69), McDonald (Knights 71), Parkin, Currie, Westlake (Garvan 46). Att: 9,305.

Photo: Action Images

GiveusaWave added 10:10 - Jun 21 Good when we used to get this type of preseason fixture
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