Billy Clarke and Dean Bowditch scored Town's goals as the reserves drew 2-2 with Leyton Orient at Playford Road. The Blues probably should have got more from the game with Bowditch hitting the post, although the visitors had their chances.

Matt Richards hit the first shot of the game after a freekick given inside the area for a backpass was played to him. A defender blocked and keeper Jack Giddens saved.

Town went ahead in the ninth minute when John Melligan tripped Bowditch inside the area. The striker took the kick himself, but keeper Giddens got down to his left to save. Fortunately for the Blues, Billy Clarke was there to follow up.

Central defender Paul Watson head a header tipped over and then Clarke struck an effort straight at Giddens as Town had much the better of the game.

However, on 36 the visitors got back on terms when striker Dean Morgan, on loan from Luton, struck a fearsome 25-yard effort which gave keeper Ian McLoughlin no chance.

The O's went close to going in front four minutes before the break when Harry Baker shot from a tight angle and McLoughlin saved well.

Town went back in front with the first chance of the second half. Jaime Peters played in Bowditch and the former England U19 international beat Giddens.

Watson again went close on 51 when a header was cleared off the line, before Connor Wickham replaced Matt Daniels.

Loick Pires looped the ball onto the roof of the net in the 57th minute, prior to Luke Hyam taking over from Jamie Griffiths.

Baker shot only just over for the visitors, who were increasingly looking the side most likely to score, then Paul Watson almost gifted the O's an equaliser when played the ball straight to Morgan on the edge of the box. Fortunately, keeper McLoughlin was equal to the ex-Colchester man's strike.

Morgan didn't have to wait too much longer for a goal though. On 73, he beat Matt Richards when cutting in from the right and sent a shot powerfully between McLoughlin and his left post.

With nine minutes remaining, Jaime Peters tried a similar effort, cutting in from the left but shooting into the sidenetting.

Dean Bowditch came close to winning it for Town on 87 when found on the right of the area by Clarke. Bowditch took the ball inside and hit a left-foot shot which cannoned off the post.

Town probably deserved to win on the first half performance, but were rather untidy after the break and the O's had more than their fair share of chances.

Bowditch and Clarke had a less than clinical afternoon in front of goal, although the Irish youngster looked sharp in general play, particularly in the first half.

Veliche Shumulikoski failed to make the kind of impact which might win him a recall to the first team, while Jaime Peters had some bright moments going forwards in the opening period.

Jim Magilton, John Gorman, Steve Foley and Charlie Woods all watched the early stages of the game before leaving, presumably to prepare for this evening's first team match. Bryan Klug and Steve McCall kept a closer eye, while Orient boss Geraint Williams was in attendance, as were former Town keeper-coach Andy Rhodes, now with Preston, and ex-academy coach Steve Greaves.

Reserves: McLoughlin, Clemo, Richards, Shumulikoski, Eastman, Watson, Peters, Daniels (Wickham 53), Clarke, Bowditch, Griffiths (Hyam 60). Unused: Ward, Clark, Cawley.

Photo: Action Images

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