Town’s U23 side saw their lead at the top of the Professional Development League 2 South cut to seven points when they lost 4-3 to second-placed Crystal Palace this afternoon.
The young Blues came from behind to lead 2-1 but the game swung back the Eagles’ way towards the end as they netted three times in the last few minutes before Tristan Nydam added Town’s third and his second of the afternoon with the last kick of the game.
Over-age player Bakary Sako put Palace ahead eight minutes before the break in a game played at the hosts’ training ground in Beckenham.
Mali international Sako, 30, who returned to Palace from West Brom last week on a short-term deal through to the end of the season, found the net from close range.
But Gerard Nash’s team, with Welsh U19 goalkeeper Adam Przybek on trial, hit back in the second half to seemingly turn the game on its head.
French-born Tunisian U23 cap Idris El Mizouni, who signed his first pro contract in December, levelled with a stunning strike before Nydam converted from the spot to put Town in front.
Palace hit back, however, through Kian Flanagan, Rob Street and an own goal to lead 4-2 before Nydam completed the scoring.
Przybek, 18, is on the books at West Brom but is currently on loan at Rushall Olympic of the Evo-Stik League South.
U23s: Przybek, Cotter, Clements, McGavin, Marshall, Ndaba (c), Nydam, Webber, McKendry, Foudil, El Mizouni. Subs: Egan, Hughes, Z. Brown, Simpson, Crowe.