Town’s U23s came from two goals down at half-time to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace at their Copers Cope training ground this afternoon, Conor McKendry and sub Albert Wilton (pictured) - who scored a hat-trick for the U18s at the weekend - netting the goals.

The Eagles went in front in only the sixth minute through Freddie Ladapo and doubled their lead on 17 via Levi Lumeka as the home side began the game very strongly.

But the Blues were in charge for most of the second half and Gerard Nash’s team pulled a goal back on 50 when McKendry, who scored four and assisted two in the last U23s match of 2017, the 6-0 hammering of Coventry, diverted a deep cross from the left across the keeper and into the net at the far post.

The home side had chances to seal their victory on the break, Town keeper Michael Crowe making a number of important stops, but with three minutes left on the clock Wilton turned a Ben Morris cross from the left home to claim a deserved point.

🎥 U23 | Conor McKendry and Albert Wilton were on target as Town's U23s came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace earlier today #itfc pic.twitter.com/KDsV0Ot94u

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 8, 2018

Wilton has had a profitable start to 2018 having grabbed a hat-trick for the U18s in Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Coventry City at Playford Road, Steven Cahill and Idris El Mizouni netting the other two goals for Alan Lee’s side.

U23s: M Crowe, D Crowe, Clements, Blanchfield, Marshall (Wilton 86), Webber, McKendry, McLoughlin, Folami (Patterson 71), Drinan, Morris. Unused: Hayes, McGavin, Ndaba.

Photo: TWTD

midastouch added 15:18 - Jan 8 McKendry for the first team!
3

EastAngliasNo1 added 15:26 - Jan 8 @midastouch No thanks! We want to keep him injury free!
4

hoppy added 15:38 - Jan 8 Any idea how Drinan got on, and when was he replaced by Wilton?
4

BLUEBEAT added 15:52 - Jan 8 They didn't level on 50, they levelled on 87.
2

runningout added 15:55 - Jan 8 Well done chaps :-D
1

PhilTWTD added 16:05 - Jan 8 Hoppy Played the full 90, initial sub info wrong.
3

hoppy added 16:22 - Jan 8 Thanks Phil. How did he do, as far as you know?
0

PhilTWTD added 16:35 - Jan 8 I watched the second half on the Palace app - on my phone, hence got sub wrong - and made a couple of strong runs and won the ball in the air well a few times without overly catching the eye. On what I saw the 'Murph' nickname didn't seem miles off his style of play, I have to say, but would need more evidence. Bluebeat: Yes, amended, me being vague.
1

nysully added 17:08 - Jan 8 @PhilTWTD - seeing 18 year old Brereton up front for Forest yesterday the original Murph may be available again!
0

nysully added 17:11 - Jan 8 Although playing against Mertesaker may make any centre forward look better than he is!
1

fergalsharkey added 17:51 - Jan 8 Most importantly to me and most of us on this board is how did folami play?
1

liam88 added 19:08 - Jan 8 Keiffer gone
1

brian_a_mul added 19:28 - Jan 8 Pity we can't play Coventry every week!
1

brittaniaman added 20:27 - Jan 8 IF Wolves beat Swansea in the replay, it will mean we have only got 2 more games this month!!! So there will be plenty of rest for the first team
1

carsey added 22:31 - Jan 9 Gerard Nash for 1st team coach anyone. Seems to me he gets the best out of his players and from what I have seen is a modern day thinker of the game. He knows the youngsters and they play on the deck attacking football.
3

harlingblue added 02:49 - Jan 10 I agree McKendry should be on the 1st team bench, a hungry, hardworking player with goals and free kicks in his locker.
2

Pilgrimblue added 08:08 - Jan 10 Mckendry should be on bench in place of Sears it's a no brainer! Also agree that Nash should get a chance if MM sacked. When he's in charge you can see what effect he has on keeping ball and players linking up. Sadly all MM wants is get rid up field in hope it'll work so sooner he goes we'll all be happier. Maybe after this weekend!
1

Pilgrimblue added 08:08 - Jan 10 Mckendry should be on bench in place of Sears it's a no brainer! Also agree that Nash should get a chance if MM sacked. When he's in charge you can see what effect he has on keeping ball and players linking up. Sadly all MM wants is get rid up field in hope it'll work so sooner he goes we'll all be happier. Maybe after this weekend!
1

Pilgrimblue added 08:08 - Jan 10 Mckendry should be on bench in place of Sears it's a no brainer! Also agree that Nash should get a chance if MM sacked. When he's in charge you can see what effect he has on keeping ball and players linking up. Sadly all MM wants is get rid up field in hope it'll work so sooner he goes we'll all be happier. Maybe after this weekend!
1

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