Defender Jack Ainsley netted the only goal in the final moments as Town’s reserves beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Playford Road this afternoon.
The Town side included the likes of Josh Carson, Lee Bowyer, Nathan Ellington, Ryan Stevenson and Joe Whight as well as a number of Academy youngsters such as midfielders Byron Lawrence and Lewis Acott and defender Callum Bennett, who was last week told he would be offered a professional deal.
Perhaps notably, given Reading’s reported loan interest, we understand that Jimmy Bullard wasn’t involved, while both sides are believed to have fielded as yet unknown trialists, which led to the decision to bar spectators yesterday.