Town's short Danish tour ended tonight with a second defeat, this time against Superliga newcomers Farum Boldklub. Two Farum goals sandwiched Alun Armstrong's equaliser which at the time looked likely to be the springboard for a Town win.

The Blues side which lined-up at Farum Park was much changed from the one which played at Frederikshavn on Tuesday. It is likely that little should be read into either XI given that the intention seemed to give all fit players a run-out.

Town were missing Finidi George, Darren Bent, Marcus Bent, Ulrich Le Pen and John McGreal due to knocks. All but McGreal's injury are thought to be minor.

Before the game the Town fans, in a segregated end, and mainly Scandinavian, were welcomed by chairman David Sheepshanks who spent a few minutes chatting. The fans were already in fine mood, largely due to the contents of the beer holders attached to each one of the leather seats.

The smiles were soon wiped from the Town faces when Farum took the lead. Wayne Brown made a slip, allowing Nichlas Hindsberg to hit a shot which trialist Jeff Cassar turned on to the post. However, following up was Thomas Schultz who hammered the ball home across the American.

It was just the start that Town didn't really need, but as the game wore on they came more into it and played their slickest football of the tour so far.

They were dominating proceedings but couldn't seem to score with Ambrose, Couñago and Miller all going close on a number of occasions. A more experienced player than Ambrose would probably have put his chances away, one of which he allowed to keeper to claim and the other he sent into the side-netting.

At the other end Cassar rode his luck when he spilled a shot but gathered it as it came back off the post.

As half-time approached Town were almost two-down but the rebond from Sainoski's shot was netted from an offside position.

Half-time saw Matt Holland come on in the unfamiliar role of centre-half, Thomas Gaardsøe making way.

The Blues were quickly back on terms when Couñago, who had threatened several times in the first half, won the ball and played through Armstrong on the left of goal. He waltzed round former Liverpool reserves keeper Jørgen Neilsen and slid the ball home.

From here it seemed Town were destined to win, however the game gradually drifted as the number of substitutions grew.

Chances were few and far between until Jamie Clapham hit a low shot just wide.

Play moved to the other end where keeper Cassar missed a corner and allowed Rasmus Marvits to head home at the far post. Cassar was under pressure but no more so than he would face regularly be should he win a contract with Town. Blues' keeper coach Malcolm Webster kept an eye on Cassar from behind the goal in each half.

The latter stages saw Darren Ambrose replaced after injuring himself when colliding with a Farum player. He looked to be in some pain and could well be an addition to the lengthening injury list.

Town's final opportunities saw Matt Holland hit a freekick over the bar and Couñago have a shot saved, but after just one minute's injury time the whistle was blown.

Despite the defeat Town showed in spells that they can still pass the ball with the pace and accuracy which took them to fifth place in the Premiership. The trick now is to repeat it over 90 minutes, cut out defensive errors and turn more chances into goals.

Cassar, Makin, Clapham, Gaardsøe (Holland 46), Brown, Wright (Magilton 61), Ambrose (Couñago 77), Miller, Armstrong (Naylor 61), Couñago (Stewart 61), Reuser (Wilnis 72).

Photo: Action Images

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