Jack Ainsley, Shane O’Connor (pictured) and Reggie Lambe were on the scoresheet as Town’s reserves drew 3-3 at Southend's Roots Hall this afternoon. The young second string side should have won the match with the Shrimpers scoring two late goals to claim a point.
The Blues went ahead in the second minute when Ainsley, playing at centre-half, headed home skipper Colin Healy’s corner.
Chris Kiwomya’s men started the match strongly and Ronan Murray was unlucky not to increase the lead when his lob struck the bar.
However, the home side got level in the 29th minute after sloppy defending allowed Harry Crawford to slip the ball past Ian McLoughlin.
The second half started quietly but gradually sprung into life with Murray again unfortunate to net, first clipping a post and then having a goal chalked off for offside.
Shane O’Connor, playing his second game after recovering from his torn hamstring, put the Blues back in front in the 74th minute. After a strong run from Reggie Lambe, the Irish left-back curled a 20-yard left-footed shot into the net.
Five minutes later Lambe made it three, the Bermudian international beating three players before hitting home from the edge of the box.
Town ought to have had the result sealed, but on 89 Southend sub Duane Ofori-Acheampong pulled a goal back soon after coming on, then a minute later Harry Crawford equalised.
The Blues reserves, for whom academy first-year scholar Aaron Jones was making his debut, had done enough to win the game but for a patchy defensive display which had allowed the home side back into it.
O’Connor came through the full 90 minutes with no problem after his recent injury, but Argentinian midfielder Luciano Civelli, who was struck on the head in the first half, was quiet before being replaced in the 75th minute.
Conor Hourihane had a decent game in the midfield holding role, while striker Ronan Murray was unlucky on a couple of occasions. Jack Ainsley and Aaron Jones impressed at the back, while Reggie Lambe was a danger going forward.
Reserves: McLoughlin, Jones, Meekings, Ainsley, O'Connor, Hourihane, Griffiths (Dunbar 84), Healy, Lambe, Murray, Civelli (Clark 75). Unused: Cawley, Maduako, Tiofack.
Thanks to Andy Pearl.