A strong Town U23 side featuring a number of senior players were held to a 1-1 draw by a relatively youthful Crewe Alexandra team at Portman Road on Monday evening, Brett Pitman netting the Blues goal shortly after having had a penalty saved.

Josh Emmanuel, Myles Kenlock and Paul Digby were all part of Town's backline, while Dominic Samuel started up front with Freddie Sears, Pitman and Jonny Williams - back after suffering a minor hamstring injury in the U23s a fortnight ago as he made his comeback after shoulder surgery - all playing in behind the on-loan Reading striker, who was returning to action after his broken toe.

Michael Crowe was called into action early on when the ball fell kindly for Daniel Udoh on the edge of the box, but the frontman shot straight at the Town stopper.

Minutes later Pitman's diving header from Sears's left-wing cross was deflected over, shortly before the former Bournemouth man picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul.

Pitman was given the perfect opportunity to put the Blues ahead on 27 when Oliver Finney's sliding challenge felled Williams inside the area, but visiting keeper Andrew Dawber dived to his left and pushed the spotkick round the post.

However, Adam McDonnell's corner from Town's right found its way to the back post where Pitman made amends and tucked the ball into the net from close range.

Crewe responded well and Crowe beat away two Udoh efforts, the second of which fell to Callum Ainley on the edge of the box but the midfielder blazed his follow-up shot well over.

As half-time approached, a sloppy pass from Emmanuel released Callum Saunders - watched by his father Dean from the stands - and he fed strike partner Udoh, but Town captain Chris Smith got back just in time to block the number 10's goal-bound shot.

Within a minute of the restart James Blanchfield's cross from the right was powerfully headed towards goal by Pitman but Dawber clawed the ball away from the bottom the corner.

Kenlock was then replaced by Pat Webber after picking up an injury, and the Town left-back hobbled straight down the tunnel for some further medical attention.

On 54 the visitors netted a deserved equaliser after Digby had conceded possession on the edge of the Town box. Udoh, who had posed a constant threat all night, fired a shot into the bottom corner which gave Crowe no chance.

Emmanuel's left-foot shot was blocked for a corner and Smith's header was deflected just over the bar, before Williams and Samuel were both withdrawn in what appeared to be a pre-planned double substitution which saw Sears move upfront alongside Pitman.

The visitors were looking more and more dangerous going forwards and it was only another fine block from Smith that kept the scores level after Owen Dale had been picked out at the back post by Udoh.

As stoppage time approached, Ryan Wintle's 20-yard freekick fell at the feet of Perry Ng but Crowe produced an excellent save to react and push the Crewe captain's effort away from danger.

Town had failed to create anywhere near as many chances in the second period but in the second minute of added time, Pitman's chipped cross was somehow headed back across goal by an unmarked Sears when it appeared easier to score, and McDonnell then fired just wide of the target.

Despite the very late pressure from Town they didn't do enough for the win and Crewe will probably feel they should have taken all three points, with the Blues having Crowe and Smith to thank for some excellent defensive work.

Samuel and Williams will have been pleased to get some much-needed minutes under their belts but neither saw enough of the ball to contribute a great deal. Pitman and Sears worked hard but both were well-marshalled by a pacy Crewe defence.

U23s: Crowe, Emmanuel, Kenlock (Webber 48), Digby, Smith, Williams (McKendry 71), McDonnell, Blanchfield, Samuel (Morris 71), Pitman, Sears. Unused: Folami, Wright.

Photo: TWTD

bobble added 04:53 - Mar 22 pitman would be a better manager than mick..
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bobble added 04:56 - Mar 22 we are weak everywhere... its going to be hard to clean up this mess, i pity the new manager.
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BrettenhamBlue added 04:59 - Mar 22 We've got a premiership GK and a few Championship players in our first team. Too many league 1/2 players in our squad in general though with a couple of exceptions (one of which should be playing Sunday league!). Squad looks thin in terms of ability and the new man in isn't going to have a lot to work with.
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brittaniaman added 09:12 - Mar 22 Piers Morgan moans daily about Arsenal, and Wenger should be sacked,, goodness knows what he would say if he was an Ipswich supporter ??? Then you would have something to moan about !!! I Bet you would not like to swap managers Piers ????
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BlueSmith94 added 12:07 - Mar 22 Cloddyseedbed that is the attitude I have in general, when playing footy as a kid we would win and lose games, you go onto the next one. I think we need to go into every game to win, especially at home but Mick doesnt and its fustrating, so I am Mick out as much as you.
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