Town’s final pre-season friendly at Leyton Orient ended in a 1-1 draw with Lloyd James netting a final moments penalty for the home side to equalise Balint Bajner’s ninth minute opener for the Blues.

Town started with Dean Gerken in goal, Jonny Parr at right-back, Tyrone Mings on the left and skipper Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence.

Luke Hyam was at the centre of the midfield alongside Cole Skuse with Elliott Hewitt on the right and Jay Tabb on the left.

New signing Bajner partnered Daryl Murphy up front. The rest of the first team squad were on the bench, aside from Paul Anderson and Tommy Smith, who missed out with niggles, and Paul Taylor.

The home side threatened first in the eighth minute, James striking the top of the bar with a well-struck freekick from 25 yards.

A minute later, Town went in front. Tabb cut in from the left and hit a low shot which O’s keeper Adam Legzdins blocked. The loose ball ran out to Bajner, who deftly stroked home his second goal in a Blue shirt from just inside the box.

Orient striker David Mooney hit shot on the turn which deflected wide, then Mathieu Baudry saw a header flick through to Gerken with the home side having had more of the early opportunities despite Town having taken the lead.

Just before the half hour, Chambers headed a deep Tabb corner from the left over, Town’s best chance since the goal.

Orient, who had continued to have most of the ball and a greater share of the chances, should have got back on terms in the 33rd minute when Romain Vincelot broke into the area on the right, but Gerken spread himself well to deny the former Dagenham and Redbridge man with his toe.

The Blues were forced into a change in the 38th minute when Parr picked up what looked to be either a groin or hamstring injury. Cameron Stewart took over on the right of midfield with Hewitt switching to right-back.

Just before the half-time whistle was sounded by referee Gary Sutton, sub Stewart curled a freekick just wide after Tabb had been fouled.

Orient will have felt themselves unfortunate to be behind at the break, having played more of the better football and having had one or two decent chances, Vincelot in particular will have been rueing not taking his chance. Town, meanwhile, had one serious opportunity which a grateful Bajner took confidently.

Goalscorer Bajner made way at half-time, David McGoldrick taking over alongside Murphy in the attack. The home side made two changes with former Blue Kevin Lisbie coming on up front.

Town started the second half on top but chances were rare, a 55th minute Chambers header from the second of two corners deflected wide off another Blues player.

On 61 McGoldrick superbly played Mings into space down the left but the full-back’s cross was deflected behind his waiting team-mates.

Five minutes later, Bradley Pritchard played in Mooney, who stabbed wide when he should have put his side back on terms.

A Town corner reached Stewart beyond the far post in the 71st minute but the sub’s shot was blocked. Two minutes later Frank Nouble and Anthony Wordsworth took over from Murphy and Hyam.

Eleven minutes from the end, Tabb almost seized on an error in the Orient defence, but keeper Legzdins was off his line quickly to claim. Town’s second new addition Kevin Bru took over from Skuse on 82 with Alex Henshall replacing Tabb.

With six minutes Gerken left palmed Dean Cox’s 30-yard freekick over, then on 87 Town should have extended their lead. McGoldrick cut his way into the area before hitting a shot which Legzdins blocked.

The loose ball fell to Henshall but the keeper managed to get back to save again, the loose ball hitting the now-offside McGoldrick, who moments later made way for Jack Marriott.

In the final minute, Orient equalised from the spot after Henshall was adjudged to have fouled ex-Blue Lisbie. James sent Gerken the wrong way to score. Moments before the whistle sub Bru shot over.

Although the penalty looked harsh and Town had had the better of the second half, a draw was probably a far result with the O’s the better side in the first, despite having found themselves behind to Bajner’s goal.

Town: Gerken, Parr (Stewart 38), Mings, Hyam (Wordsworth 73), Chambers, Berra, Hewitt, Skuse (Bru 82)), Murphy (Nouble 73), Bajner (McGoldrick 46 (Marriott 88)), Tabb (Henshall 82). Subs: Bialkowski, Clarke, Bru, Crowe. Att: 2,052 (Town: 595)

Photo: Action Images

GerkensBeard added 18:09 - Aug 2 Surely Stewart has got to start left mid next week ahead of Tabb and Anderson on the right, or henshall on the left? If Tabb starts next week whatever must them wingers think? Would be some sort of joke. Thing is Tabb doesn't even offer defensive cover on the left either? So what exactly does he do there?
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jas0999 added 18:23 - Aug 2 Overall a decent pre season, but sounds as though we were out played at times. Particularly first half. Again, I am left wondering whether there is enough quality or goals in midfield. I suspect the answer is no, there isn't enough. I an astounded that we haven't replaced Williams with a similar type of player. Its bizarre, because when Williams signed last season it was so obvious he was the missing link, type of player we were crying out for. Our current midfield is relatively poor, with the likes of Tabb and more defensive than creative players. Also with Parr picking up an injury it really demonstrates what a woefully small first team squad we have. That could again prove our downfall, particularly if a couple of key players pick up injuries ... Much the same as McGoldrick last season.

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Seasider added 18:38 - Aug 2 As usual agree with most of what Jas says. In todays EADT it lists the ins and outs during the close season. 9 in and 14 OUT-That includes Freddie Veseli loaned to Port Vale but unlikely to play for Town,as made clear by Manager.Why does Mc Carthy have to come out and say that players are not going to play for him again as he has also done with Paul Taylor;sure this may be the case but does he have to make it public?Not good man management in my view for somebody who is supposed to be good at this. However good pre season;but in this last game would have thought he would have had another look at players who have not featured that much(some having just arrived).Would have thought he knows enough about Skues Hyam Murphy and his two favourites Nouble and little Tabby!

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TimmyH added 18:46 - Aug 2 yep spot on - above posts!
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TimmyH added 18:57 - Aug 2 What ever your view on Taylor and it does divide opinions it just adds to Mick's creative 'options' being even less and as we all know a small squad which we all knew had to get bigger in the summer and it hasn't!
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Moscow_Blue added 19:45 - Aug 2 Just back. Pleasant afternoon; homely and friendly ground. Despite comments above, Tabb had a good game and, of the other fringe players, Hewitt was particularly good going forward but is unlikely to displace Chambers from the RB slot. McGoldrick was outstanding considering his lack of match time and I suspect he is being eased back in gently. Smith was not on the squad so I hope will not be unfit for next Saturday.

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tractorlegend added 20:48 - Aug 2 Good to see Bajner getting on the score sheet. Hens hall perhaps showing his inexperience by conceding the penalty. Overall we look solid perhaps not spectacular!
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fussysnake added 22:12 - Aug 2 Wasn't the most exciting game to watch but only a friendly!
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Hegansheroes added 22:26 - Aug 2 itfcbam, have you questioned why we get such poor attendances????? I rarely go due to the incredibly boring style that is MM's pride & joy. How can Brighton get around 24000 every home game & we struggle for 17000. Many of my friends, life long supporters will not go at all due to MM's inept style of football. The man is an imbecile in the football world
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SouperJim added 22:52 - Aug 2 Preseason draw reaches an 8 on the flounce-o-meter. Divine right to win every game. Criticise Mick for not playing young Marriott. Criticise Mick for playing young Hyam. Scratch around for patterns and theories that don't add up. Same tripe on the news comments, different season. Those of us with a greater emotional intellect than a fish finger remain optimistic.
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ITFCRealist added 00:19 - Aug 3 Spot on Hegansheroes. And trying to get rid of our most talented attacker, many more will join that list of people who refuse to go until the dinosaur is sacked. Marcus Evans, you say you are an Ipswich fan. Prove it and give us a manager like Robson or Sir Alf. Prove it an open your wallet to get us a midfield. Prove it and bring back the glory days. Those Were The Days!

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NoelTheDub added 01:41 - Aug 3 Parr at right back whats that about MM ,Hyam and Skuse in the middle flat and boring,Tabb on the wing did nothing last season.Im very disappointed with our signings and dont see anything positive.Our pre season results are ok against lower teams but its my view that we are weaker than last season and cant see us having a season like last mid table for me as MM is to negative in his thinking having said this he steadied our club but doubt if he can take us to another level ie playoffs.A lot of players have left but our club but what has replaced them have question marks I mean unknown if they are up to this standard.

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RedReidy added 08:59 - Aug 3 ok
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 09:54 - Aug 3 Its a pre-season friendly - meaningless, except for match time…we are certainly better than last season with two proper wingers, a striker that looks very good in Bajner and the addition of Bru. Remember we weren't far off the play offs last season and our back line was solid for the most part. In Mick we trust.
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NoelTheDub added 14:52 - Aug 3 ShropshireBluenago09 A week before season starts this is not time to fool around with a meaningless, match time game.Yesterdays game should be as close to the one thats starts v Fulham and if thats the case im very worried.I will be amazed if MM plays two wingers and brakes the negative Hyam and Skuse with Anderson or this guy Bru.Also if McGoldrick is not fit its going to be Murf and Nouble I dont think Marriot will get a look in and injured players will get replaced by out of position guys.Our strongest balanced team should do ok but very worried what MM does when injuries and suspensions kick in,but he is the boss.

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ShropshireBluenago09 added 16:58 - Aug 3 Noel the Dub - i don't think there was any 'fooling' around. The anticipated first X1 played, all except 3 players. Mick should know his first team for Fulham before this game kicked off. As i said, this was to give game time to players - result not that important. But i still think we have better options and a better squad than last year.
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blueboy1981 added 18:46 - Aug 3 ......... another season beckons of a 0 -0 being 'highly successful' and a 1-0 win 'civic reception time' . Mick McCarthy do me a huge favour PLEASE - and prove me wrong. First three games of the season will be all important in pointing the direction we continue to head - not for turning as usual.
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spanishblue added 01:08 - Aug 4 I do believe that most managers pick on one player and heap the blame on him but in this case I truly believe thatMM is right to dump PT .If he's that good why is there nobody after him .Ive said it before but here goes again if he was any good he'd be playing the guy can't keep it together if you don't follow orders you get sacked dropped thrown out .do you want somebody who plays well once a month to six weeks or somebody that gives there all for the club and does not upset every body at the club,nobody would argue that the guy can play but he has to buckle down week in week out clear off PT leave, put us out of our misery

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Sospiri added 04:46 - Aug 4 From earlier comments, it sounds like Bajner isn't much good in the air, despite being 6ft 5in. Was he any better in this game? This reminds me of Sam Parkin, who seemed to get beaten in the air by every defender. Mick says 'he wants to head it', but concedes it is a weakness. I wonder if he has a mental block about competing in the air? Years ago, my social team's central defenders both went for the same ball, and clashed badly - broken noses, blood everyhwere, it was like a horror movie. Ever since, I have been reluctant to fully commit in the air. Maybe Bajner is the same? But while it's OK for me at my level, it isn't really OK for a professional centre forward. Does Mick think he can fix him? If not, we have a problem.

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