Tommy Smith netted the only goal as Town’s reserves defeated Peterborough 1-0 at Portman Road. The central defender rose to nod home an Ed Upson corner in the 53rd minute.
Striker Pablo Couñago returned to action after his groin injury, while Alan Quinn was also included in the starting line-up having come on as a sub against Crystal Palace last night.
Chances were rare early on, Town keeper Ian McLoughlin blocked from Posh striker Danny Mills with his feet after an error by Jack Ainsley, then Peterborough stopper Jim McKeown did much the same at the other end when Couñago played in Ronan Murray with the game’s first piece of real quality.
Kwesi Appiah shot wide for the visitors, then Dominic Green hit a freekick off the post with McLoughlin beaten.
Just before the break, Ed Upson cut in from his left midfield position and struck a shot wide.
Upson’s performance was one of the brighter aspects of an otherwise dull game. On 46 the midfielder sent in a cross from the left which Reggie Lambe directed goalwards, McKeown doing well to save.
The Bermudian international shot wide moments later with the Blues taking control of the match.
On 53 Upson sent in a corner from the left and Smith rose above everyone else to nod back across the keeper and into the net.
The defender, used as a left-back in Roy Keane’s first home game in charge against Coventry last season, was one of three players subbed on the hour mark, perhaps hinting at involvement from the start at West Brom on Saturday.
Academy defender Tom Eastman replaced Smith, while Luke Hyam took over from Alan Quinn and Jamie Griffiths came on for Couñago. Despite a relatively quiet performance against Peterborough, Quinn also looks to be in with a shout of a start against the Baggies. Couñago showed his usual glimpses of skill but looked a little way from match fitness.
Griffiths should have added to Town’s lead in the 64th minute but nodded over, then Upson curled a stunning effort off the bar, a strike which deserved a goal. Murray saw a shot save, before Green forced McLoughlin into a save at the other end.
On 85, just prior to manager Roy Keane leaving his seat in the directors’ box, Upson struck the bar for a second time with a curling 25-yard freekick.
The Bury-based youngster continued his impressive work from pre-season and in the Carling Cup at Shrewsbury and may well have pushed himself into Keane’s thoughts.
Elsewhere, loan signing Jack Colback was largely quiet but grew in influence as the game wore on, while Troy Brown and goalscorer Tommy Smith were solid at the back.
Reserves: McLoughlin, Ainsley, O’Connor, Colback, Brown, Smith, Lambe, Upson, Couñago, Murray, Quinn. Unused: Clark, Cawley.