A strong Town U21 side - including Stephen Hunt, Darren Ambrose and Cameron Stewart - secured a 1-0 victory at Charlton Athletic on Monday afternoon with centre-half Omar Sowunmi (pictured) heading home a late winner.
Town were forced into an early change midway through the first half when Stewart - playing his first game following six weeks out with a broken jaw - was replaced by Cory Galvin after picking up an injury to his right knee.
Soon after, Michael Crowe produced a superb flying save to tip Zak Ansah's curling effort wide of a post.
Mark Kennedy's side, who were watched throughout by Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor, created more chances in the second half with Monty Patterson's 20-yard shot and close range header forcing Addicks keeer Dillon Phillips into two sharp saves.
Kadell Daniel turned and hit an effort that struck the foot of a Town post, before Harry Gerrard cut in from the right and curled an effort which also rebounded off Michael Crowe’s woodwork.
Phillips did well to push Ambrose's long-range drive away from danger, but he was powerless to stop Sowunmi's winner with four minutes remaining.
Kundai Benyu, a first-year academy scholar, was fouled just outside the area and Hunt's delivery to the far post was met by an unmarked Sowunmi, who powered his header into the net to claim his second goal in two games.
Town withheld late pressure from the Addicks to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Kennedy’s side have now taken 10 points from their first four games, while their three wins already equals their total for the whole of last season.
Youngster Benyu impressed throughout in central midfield, while Hunt was a constant threat and will have been pleased to get 90 minutes under his belt.
U21s: Crowe, Robinson (Emmanuel 80), Wyatt, Benyu, Sowunmi, Clarke, Stewart (Galvin 23), Ambrose, McQueen, Patterson (McLoughlin 71), Hunt. Unused: Marsden, Willbye.