Town opened their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 victory over Peterborough United at London Road. The Blues went ahead through a deflected Pablo Couñago goal and went two-up via Ian Westlake before Calum Willock hit back for the home side.
A torrential downpour in the hour or so ahead of kick-off left the pitch slippery and in some places waterlogged. However, the difficult conditions didn't prevent the Blues from going ahead inside three minutes.
Spanish striker Pablo Couñago hit a shot from the edge of the area which looked destined to hit a corner flag until it struck a defender near the penalty spot, beating keeper Mark Tyler.
On 16, Town went two-up, Ian Westlake completing the best move of the game. Darren Bent, starting the game at right midfield, played the ball inside to Couñago who slipped in Westlake on the left. Last season's player of the year took his time before sliding the ball past Tyler.
Two minutes later, the home side pulled a goal back. Calum Willock found himself unmarked five yards out as a freekick came in from the right and made no mistake with his header. The Town marking, as so often on set-pieces last season, was somewhat lacking, despite first half captain Jason De Vos's very audible organisation.
Matt Richards went wide with a freekick on the half hour but chances were few and far between in a game which had 'pre-season friendly' written all over it.
At the break there was the expected mass substitution. Off came Richard Naylor, Antonio Murray, Kevin Horlock, Shefki Kuqi and Pablo Couñago. Replacing them were Drissa Diallo, Georges Santos, Dean Bowditch, trialist Mark Rivers and, taking the captain's armband, Jim Magilton.
Town looked a more cohesive unit in the second half, Magilton's presence in the midfield helping the side to pass the ball more effectively.
On 53 Darren Bent, by now playing up front, slipped through Ian Westlake one-on-one with the keeper but Tyler was out quickly to block. Kelvin Davis was similarly tested at the other end five minutes later, grabbing the ball at Farrell's feet.
The Blues made their final change on 66, Scott Barron making his first appearance in a Town senior side at left-back, replacing Matt Richards.
Chances were at a premium, but in the 72nd minute Ian Westlake played Bent through beyond the defence but again Tyler prevented a goal.
Late on, former Town striker Richard Logan almost scored an equaliser but just failed to get a toe to a cross from the right with the goal gaping.
A rarely entertaining game which was very evidently being played early in pre-season. Neither team looked at peak fitness and goalmouth action was scarce.
Of Town's new signings, Jason De Vos was probably the most impressive, looking solid throughout and taking on the organisational role largely vacant since Tony Mowbray's retirement.
Kevin Horlock had a decent 45 minutes, sending in a couple of decent corners and freekicks and sitting in front of the Town defence capably.
Mark Rivers, who received abuse from a small section of fans, looked well off the pace but got more into the second half as it wore on. With Norwich's pre-season starting later than Town's and a lengthy injury absence at the end of last season, it was perhaps little surprise the trialist wasn't at his peak.
Midfielder Tommy Miller was sat on the Town bench and will return to action during this week's pre-season tour of Denmark, starting against Randers on Tuesday evening.
Town: Davis, Wilnis, Richards (Barron 66), Naylor (Diallo 46), De Vos, Westlake, Bent, Murray (Magilton 46), Couñago (Bowditch 46), Kuqi (Rivers 46), Horlock (Santos 46). Unused: Price.