A strong Town XI were beaten 5-4 by AFC Sudbury in a friendly at The Wardale Williams Stadium on Monday evening. Cameron Stewart netted two and Shane McLoughlin and Ben Morris one each, but the home side claimed the victory in stoppage time.
Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor were both present and saw Paul Digby start at centre-back with Andre Dozzell in a central midfield role and Stewart wide on the left.
Town keeper Michael Crowe was forced into two good saves early on by the lively Sam Bantick, but the Blues took the lead on 15 when Stewart's dangerous low cross from the left was bundled in by McLoughlin from close range.
The hosts equalised in first-half stoppage time when Craig Parker released Luke Callander, who cleverly lifted the ball over Crowe and into the net.
Stewart restored Town's advantage two minutes after the restart when he created some space for himself before firing a fierce low shot across keeper Callum Robinson and which flew in off the far post.
McLoughlin and then Adam McDonnell both had good chances soon after but failed to hit the target, and Monty Patterson then saw his effort cannon back off the bar.
Town were made to pay for squandering those chances on 67. Dozzell, who previously hadn't put a foot wrong all night, carelessly conceded possession in his own half and Sudbury sub Liam Wales, who had been on the 3G pitch less than 60 seconds, took the ball forward and beat Crowe.
Five minutes later the Town backline again left their keeper exposed and Wales latched onto Jordan Blackwell's through ball before producing another confident finish to give the hosts the lead.
Within two minutes Town were back level again. Stewart produced a fine cross which Morris glanced into the far corner of the net.
However, Sudbury scored again on 76 when Digby failed to clear the danger and former Town schoolboy Robert Eagle hit a low, left-foot shot across Crowe and into the bottom corner.
At the other end Robinson did well to push Morris's low shot away before Stewart went on another dangerous venture forward. This time he beat his man and hit a venomous shot which Robinson could do nothing to stop.
Both sides continued to push for the win and it was the home side that snatched it as the game entered stoppage time.
Eagle's freekick from the left was only half cleared by an under-pressure Crowe and the ball was hooked back towards goal by Craig Parker. No Town player could prevent it crossing the line and Sudbury were left to celebrate their win after an exhilarating pre-season friendly.
Dozzell ran the game during the first half and McLoughlin worked hard up front alongside Morris.
Stewart looked dangerous throughout and certainly won't have done his chances of working his way into McCarthy's first XI any harm whatsoever.
Meanwhile, TWTD understands that U18s trialist winger Diego Centeno has returned to his native Spain having been unable to win an academy scholarship with the Blues.
Town XI: Crowe, Emmanuel (Fowler 71), Kenlock, McDonnell, Digby, Robinson (C Smith 79), Patterson, Dozzell, Morris, McLoughlin, Stewart. Unused: Marsden, McKendry. Att: 636.