Goals from Sam Ford (pictured) and Shane McLoughlin saw Town's U21 side come from behind to beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at Portman Road on Monday evening, and condemn the Trotters to their first league defeat of the season.
Town's line-up may give some clues to Mick McCarthy's plans for Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie at Manchester United with Myles Kenlock, Adam McDonnell and James Alabi all starting and therefore unlikely to be in the XI at Old Trafford.
New signing Tommy Oar and Josh Emmanuel were notable absentees, while Josh Yorwerth, who scored a senior debut goal in the first round tie against Stevenage, was serving a one-match ban following his red card in the U21s game against Hull.
Kenlock had to be alert to deflect Jamie Thomas's low shot wide early on, before Ford hit an effort which was comfortably gathered by keeper Harry Campbell at the other end.
The visitors opened the scoring just after the half hour mark when a cross from the left found Alex Samizadeh, who was given room to turn and shoot high into the corner of the net.
Town equalised in first-half stoppage time when Alabi found Ford who hit a fine 25-yard effort into the bottom corner, which gave Campbell no chance.
Three minutes after the restart Cemal Ramadan's shot across goal was parried by Campbell into the path of Shane McLoughlin, who finished well from close range to give Town an unexpected lead.
Ramadan came close again minutes later after more good work from Alabi but Campbell pushed the Irish U18 international's shot over the bar.
McLoughlin then forced Campbell into another save after Dylan Connolly's cross from the right wasn't cleared, and soon after McDonnell hit a dipping volley which flew just over the bar.
Despite their pressure, Town were unable to increase their advantage and the Blues had skipper Joe Robinson to thank for preserving their lead late on. The ball reached Chris Cvetko at the back post, who cut inside and hit a shot which beat Crowe but was blocked on the line by Robinson.
It was certainly a much better second-half performance from Town who deserved the win, with Alabi again impressing up front with his hold-up play and strength.
Robinson and George Fowler had good games at the back, while Connolly was able to get forward from his right wing-back position much more during the second period.
U21s: Crowe, Connolly, Kenlock (Ramadan 46), Robinson, Fowler, Woolfenden, McLoughlin (Henshall 87), McDonnell, Alabi, Dozzell, Ford (Daly 90). Unused: Hayes, Maynard.
Bolton: Campbell, Spooner, Garratt, Campbell-Young, Perry, Lussey, Cvetko, Griffiths (Earing 67), Samizadeh, Ceberio, Thomas. Unused: Lonsdale, Jaaskelainen, Honeyball, McKenna.