Ronan Murray netted a late goal for Town as the reserves derby ended 1-1 at Portman Road. Cody McDonald had put the visitors ahead in the first half against a Blues side featuring three trialists.
Town actually had the better of the first period but went in a goal down at the break after a poor Arran Lee-Barrett kick indirectly led to Cody McDonald hitting a shot which deflected into the net off a Town defender.
The Blues continued to control things after the break but provided little threat until Ronan Murray entered the fray as a sub, the Irish U19 international netting the equaliser in the 81st minute. Owen Garvan found Reggie Lambe wide and the Bermudian international sent in a cross which Murray converted.
Icelandic trialists Pape Mamadou Faye and Ragnar Leosson, both 18, started up front and very much looked like raw youngsters. Leosson, playing in a deeper role that his Iceland U19s team-mate, appeared the better prospect but both were somewhat lightweight.
The more experienced Ibrahima Faye started at left-back and spent a brief spell in midfield. The 30-year-old Senegalese international looked athletic, getting up and down the flank, but also a touch lightweight and is probably not big enough to play at centre-half. Overall, on today’s showing he didn’t do enough to win himself a deal.
Ed Upson was Town’s most impressive performer in the first half, during which time he hit the bar with a freekick, but went off at the break, perhaps with a view to the weekend.
Ronan Murray was the only attacker to provide a real threat and came close to a second goal. In midfield Owen Garvan showed flashes, while academy youngster Luke Hyam also impressed
Town probably had the better of it over the 90 minutes but lacked anything of note up front until Murray’s introduction.
Manager Roy Keane was watching the game which was attended by a more than usually large reserves crowd with many fans still queueing outside well after the match started.
Reserves: Lee-Barrett, Ainsley, I Faye, Brown, Balkestein, Hyam, Lambe, Garvan, Upson (Dunbar 56 (Cawley 82)), PM Faye (Murray 65), Leosson. Subs: McLoughlin, Eastman.
Thanks to Andy Pearl for the report.