Town's U21s fought back from two goals down to rescue a point with a 2-2 draw in their opening Premier League Cup match against Cardiff City at Needham Market's Bloomfields on Friday evening. Tom Taylor (pictured) netted a penalty before Steven Turner equalised after the break for the young Blues.
Coaches John McGreal and David Wright named new signing Tudor Mendel-Idowu in their starting line-up for the first time. The 19-year-old signed from Anderlecht on deadline day and started on the right wing, while Ash Boatswain - fresh from international duty with Montserrat - started up front.
Town had the first sighters of goal early on with Boatswain seeing a shot blocked on the edge of the box, before right-back Daniel Babb headed straight at visiting keeper Jake Dennis.
However, the Bluebirds quickly gained the upper hand and they opened the scoring on 22. Isaac Jefferies burst into the Town box on the right and his low ball across goal was tapped in at the back post by Cody Twose.
Moments later, Troy George drove forward but shot just wide of the target, but the Welsh side did double their lead on the half hour.
Town conceded possession in midfield too easily which allowed Adeteye Gbadehan to step forward and hit a shot which Henry Gray could only parry as far as George, who fired the loose ball into the net.
Five minutes later Town captain Jacob Mazionis did well to deny Twose a second with a last-ditch block, as the visitors continued to pile on the pressure.
However, Town's youngsters got themselves back in the game five minutes before half-time. Taylor was tripped in the box by Tom Davies and referee Matthew Russell had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Taylor took responsibility and coolly sent Dennis the wrong way from the spot.
In stoppage time, the Blues thought they had grabbed a second when Boatswain turned in Abude Onuchukwu's low cross-shot from close range, but he was flagged offside.
After the break, Cardiff started well and George forced Gray to push away another effort from the edge of the area but at the other end, Luey Giles did well to divert Boatswain's effort wide after the striker had latched onto an underhit backpass and rounded keeper Dennis.
Taylor then saw a free header from Turner's corner deflect just wide of the far post, although Gray was again called into action on 73 when he pushed Tanatswa Nyakhuna's near-post shot wide of goal.
Eight minutes later, Turner netted a deserved leveller for Town with a fine low effort from 20 yards out. Dennis got his fingertips to the ball but he could only touch it onto the inside of the post, with the ball eventually nestling in the opposite side of the net.
The momentum had certainly swung The Blues' way but they couldn't quite grab a late winner, despite looking much the more likely side after a much improved second-half display.
Mendel-Idowu impressed with his pace, some neat touches and a clear intention to try and beat his opposing left-back at every opportunity, while Turner and Okunowo got control of the midfield after the break and Taylor worked hard throughout in the number 10 role.
The U21s return to league action on Tuesday with a visit to Barnsley.
U21s: Gray, Babb, Lewis, Mazionis, Ayoola, Turner, Mendel-Idowu (Morgan 67), Onuchukwu (Okunowo 46), Boatswain, Taylor, Roberts (Davis 67). Unused: Curtis, Fleischer.