Second half goals from Darren Bent and Justin Miller saw Town's second string to a 3-1 win against Watford at Portman Road. Town had taken a first half lead through the impressive Darren Ambrose before Watford hit back.

The Town side was without the promised returning loanee Richard Logan who presumably dropped out in the warm-up. Due to this the Blues started without a number 10 opting for number 14 Ian Westlake in midfield with Ambrose joining Bent in attack.

Despite almost constant Watford pressure in the early stages it was Town who went ahead. Darren Ambrose forced a corner on the Town left when he caused Baardsen to pull off a fine save to his right. From Abidallah's corner Justin Miller rose to head goalwards and and Ambrose nipped in to lash the ball into the net from two yards.

Two minutes later Town were nearly further ahead as Bent charged down a Baardsen kick out, but the ball went just wide of the post.

Watford's best opportunity in the first half came when Norville latched on to an error by Miller but hit his shot over the bar and into the top tier of the Greene King Stand.

Ambrose came closest to a Town second when he had a freekick from the edge of the area saved.

At half-time England U17 defender Chris Hogg replaced Ian Westlake. Gary Croft moved from right-back into midfield and Will Snowdon went to the right of defence.

Town's first chance of the second half saw Ulrich Le Pen hit a shot across the face of goal. Soon afterwards Darren Bent was set-up by Darren Ambrose, but his 10-yard shot was saved by Baardsen.

Watford were still having a lot of the game and just after the hour they were on terms. Lee Cook ran mazily forward after Croft had been dispossed and hit a curling shot past Salmon from the edge of the area. His celebration made it seem he'd scored the winner at Wembley rather than an equaliser in a reserve game.

But Town's young side was not to be kept from another three points. A minute later Darren Ambrose laid a freekick on the edge of the area to Darren Bent who hammered a shot in off Baardsen's left-hand post. It was a fine strike and all Bent deserved after another excellent performance.

With 20 minutes left on the clock Norville tried to chip Salmon, but the Town keeper took it with ease. On the touchline Town U19 coach Ian Smith, in charge for the night, decided to give striker Steve Burton a go with Nabil Abidallah making way.

On 76 Robert Dickinson replaced Will Snowdon before Le Pen had a shot well-saved.

As the game entered injury time Dickinson hit a shot wide when he should have done better and Bloomfield was booked for a foul.

Ambrose, who along with Bent had been the best Town player on the night, had another shot saved in injury time before the Blues added their third.

Ulrich Le Pen sent in a deep cross from the left after a short corner and Justin Miller, running in at the far post, hammered into the corner from eight yards out.

Salmon, Croft, Richards, Bloomfield, Miller, Snowdon (Dickinson 76), Abidallah (Burton 72), Ambrose, Bent, Westlake (Hogg 46), Le Pen.

Photo: Action Images

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