Town’s U21s exited the Premier League Cup at the last 16 stage after Chelsea came from behind to win 2-1 at Kingsmeadow, grabbing the winning goal in the final minute.
Rio Morgan celebrated his first Northern Ireland U21s call-up by smashing a brilliant right-footed strike into the top corner from just outside the area on 39.
However, the West Londoners levelled on 63 after Blues trialist Corbin Mthunzi, a centre-half, who is currently a second-year scholar with Brighton, was adjudged to have fouled Harrison McMahon.
Shumaira Mheuka sent Woody Williamson the wrong way from the spot.
Town were looking the more likely scorers of a winning goal in the latter stages but in the final minute, the ball was cut across from the left and Chelsea sub Ryan Kavuma-McQueen beat Williamson to inflict a harsh defeat on John McGreal’s side and send the home side through to the next round.
U21s: Williamson, Agbaje, Lewis, Mthunzi, O’Connor, Carr, Mendel (Roberts 71), Compton (Turner 38), Mauge, Taylor, Morgan. Unused: Elliott, Binns, Onuchukwu.