Town's reserves were defeated 2-0 by Fulham at Portman Road on Tuesday evening. An own goal from Kevin Horlock and a 22nd minute strike from Yinka Casal were enough to give the Cottagers victory.

The Blues gave a league reserves debut to Norwegian signing Vemund Brekke Skard. The former Brumunddal man was playing his first game after undergoing groin surgery in November.

The 24-year-old says he needs to get more competitive action under his belt before he can be considered for the first team: "I'm short of games and that showed, but I know I have to be patient and play more matches."

Skard was joined in an unfamiliar reserves side by Newmarket Town defender Darren Coe who did well and may get a second look from Town. As well as the 25-year-old former Histon man, Steve McCall's side included Liam Manning, released by the Blues last year and now with Woodbridge Town.

Town left out many of the regular reserve players ahead of Thursday's FA Youth Cup match at Liverpool, although Darryl Knights came off the bench as he continues his return after an ankle problem and could be involved at Anfield.

Dean McDonald, watched from the directors' box by Boston manager Steve Evans and other representatives of the Lincolnshire club, was close to a goal early on, shooting just wide.

Horlock inadvertently converted Ahmed Ulrich's corner soon after, before the former West Ham man's 20-yarder was saved by Mark Crossley, the ex-Forest keeper also blocking from Skard.

Casal netted the second on 22, the Blues subsequently coming close through Cathal Lordan, who hit a post, and McDonald.

Reserves: Price, Mitchell, Webster, Skard (Nimmo 76), Coe, Manning, Peters, Horlock, Bowditch, McDonald (Knights 64), Lordan. Unused: Boto, Hermannson, Pétursson. Att: 605.

Photo: Action Images

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