A late header from Jon Leddy rescued a point for a young Town U21 side as they drew 1-1 with Brentford at Playford Road on Tuesday afternoon.
Felixstowe-based schoolboy striker Sam Ford made his debut at this level, while the visitors included former Town left-sided player Scott Barron in their line-up.
The Bees started well and Blues keeper Michael Crowe produced a number of fine saves to keep the scores level; pushing Alfie Mawson's header over before spreading himself and denying Luke Norris with a fine one-on-one save midway through the first half.
The sides went in level at the break, but Brentford finally made their dominance count shortly after the hour mark. Charlie Adams latched on to a loose ball and lobbed the advancing Crowe who, despite getting a hand to the ball, wasn't able to stop it crossing the line.
Town came close to an immediate equaliser when Teddy Bishop broke through and forced Richard Lee into a fine one-handed save down low to his right.
George Fowler kept Town in the game when he cleared Norris's goalbound effort off the line, and this proved vital as Leddy — returning to match action as a sub having undergone shoulder surgery in October — rose highest at the back post to head in Bishop's freekick with four minutes remaining.
Keeper Crowe impressed with numerous saves and blocks, while youngster Ford worked tirelessly up front on his own against two big centre-halves.
U21s: Crowe, Robinson (Emmanuel 57), Timlin, Berkane, Fowler, Sowunmi, Galvin (Leddy 61), Adekunle (Ramadan 78), Ford, Bishop, Doherty. Unused: Ellis, Martin.
Report: James Ager