Jack Lankester and Conor McKendry (pictured) were on target but Town’s U23s were beaten 5-2 by Watford at Playford Road this afternoon.

Lankester put the Blues in front on 14 but the Hornets netted three times in a five-minute spell just before the break.

Northern Irishman McKendry pulled a goal back on 65 but an own goal from Blues defender Corrie Ndaba increased the visitors’ lead and they added a fifth three minutes from the end.

The U23s were managed by Geraint Williams rather than regular coaches Gerard Nash and Chris Hogg, who are both currently assisting caretaker-boss Bryan Klug.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and it will be great experience for me and Chris,” Nash told iFollow Ipswich.

“We have been thrown in the deep end but I’m looking forward to it. It will be new in terms of leading training sessions.

🎥 | We spoke with Gerard Nash earlier as he believes that everybody associated with #itfc needs to be pulling in the same direction if the Club is to be successful pic.twitter.com/sPdPpqnCJ8

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) April 12, 2018

“When I have been involved with the first team before, it’s always been Mick [McCarthy] and TC [Terry Connor] who have done that. I’ve been coaching a long time though and I won’t be changing too much.

“For us, as Bryan has said, it’s about pulling everyone together over the rest of the season and finishing on a positive.”

U23s: Wright, D Crowe, Clements, McGavin, Marshall, Ndaba, Lankester, Blanchfield, Drinan, Sagaf, McKendry. Subs: Hayes, Brown, El Mizouni, Vega, Dobra.

Photo: TWTD

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