Two goals in the last seven minutes helped Town's U23 side to a 4-3 victory over Crystal Palace at Playford Road on Monday afternoon. Centre-half George Fowler (pictured) scored a header at the end of each half with James Blanchfield and Ben Morris also netting for Gerard Nash's young side.

Andre Dozzell was back in the starting line-up after missing last week's 4-2 defeat to Charlton as he was away with the England U18s squad, and he was partnered in midfield by fellow first-team squad members Adam McDonnell and Kundai Benyu.

Town got off to the worst possible start though as they found themselves a goal down within the opening five minutes when Randell Williams's teasing low cross from the left was converted by Levi Lumeka.

Keeper Harry Wright produced a fine save to keep Andre Coker's low shot out soon after, while at the other end McDonnell flashed a long-range effort just wide of Billy Granger's left-hand post.

Town were increasing the pressure and Morris hit a first-time effort across Granger and inches wide before the equaliser came on 26.

Dozzell's corner from the right was misjudged by Granger and Blanchfield, back in the side after a one-match suspension, was left with the simple task of heading home from close range.

A few minutes later Morris again came close with another low shot across goal, but Palace continued to look dangerous on the break and Lumeka dropped a curling effort onto the roof of the net with Wright beaten.

As the half-time whistle approached, a fine defence-splitting pass from Dozzell released Shane McLoughlin but the Irish U18 international took too long to get his shot away and Sam Woods got back to deflect the ball out for a corner.

Town weren't to be denied a half-time lead though because the resultant corner was whipped in by Benyu and Fowler headed home unchallenged at the back post.

Ten minutes after the restart a good move on Town's right saw Benyu release right-back Luke Woolfenden, but the second-year scholar pulled his shot across goal and wide when he should really have hit the target.

Blanchfield did test Granger minutes later after some more impressive build-up play involving Dozzell, but the keeper blocked well with his legs.

Palace made Town pay for not taking their chances on 57 when Coker robbed centre-half Chris Smith and finished well past Wright.

The Town keeper picked up a yellow card for dissent in the aftermath, with a number of Blues feeling Smith was fouled in the build-up to the goal.

Two minutes later McLoughlin's low ball into the box from the left reached Benyu, who again found Granger in fine form with the keeper pulling off a fine save down low to keep the scores level.

The visitors took a somewhat undeserved lead on 71 when Noor Husin's precise through ball found the dangerous Lumeka, who toe-poked past the advancing Wright and into the net.

Blanchfield saw a low drive pushed round the post by Granger but Palace's failure to clear their lines from the subsequent corner saw Town level the scores once again.

Morris blocked Jason Akiotu's attempted clearance and kept his composure to slot the ball past Granger.

The drama didn't finish there though as Town continued to push forward and they were rewarded in the first minute of stoppage time.

Dozzell's corner from the left found Fowler's head and the defender powered a fine header into the top corner to claim all three points.

Despite the torrential rain before the game and during most of the first half Town had most of the play and certainly carved out the better chances, although Palace always looked a threat on the counter-attack.

Manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor watched the last half hour or so and they'll have been impressed with Dozzell and Benyu in midfield, while McLoughlin and Morris both battled away up front and were unlucky not to score more goals between them.

U23s: Wright, Woolfenden, Webber, Benyu (McKendry 78), Fowler, C Smith, McDonnell, Blanchfield, Morris, McLoughlin, Dozzell. Unused: Hayes, Salaudeen, Folami, Downes.

Photo: TWTD

commuterblue added 11:50 - Nov 23 you're quite right Durhamblue, I think must have bumnped my head celebrating, all other memories of that game have vanished from my brain
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