Town's U21 side started their inaugural National League Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw at Braintree Town on Tuesday evening, and got a bonus point by winning the resultant penalty shootout 4-3.

Luca Fletcher's goal looked to have been enough to secure a narrow victory for the Blues but sub Alfie Lewis equalised in the closing stages, before keeper Woody Williamson saved two spot-kicks in the shootout.

The increasing numbers available to manager Gary O'Neil was evidenced by three of the younger players involved with the first-team during pre-season all lining up for John McGreal's side. Corbin Mthunzi started at right-back with Tudor Mendel and Fletcher (pictured) both featuring in attack, while the Essex side included former Blues academy midfielder Emmanuel Okonowo in their XI.

The non-league outfit started well and after Reuben Swann was fouled outside the box, Alfie Matthews hit a swerving free-kick after just six minutes which Williamson did well to punch away from danger.

Three minutes later, Swann headed a Matthews corner just wide of the far post, before a long throw fell to George Evans in the box, who took a touch before firing over the angle of the near post.

Midway through the half, a deep cross from the left was kept alive at the back post and Swann hit a low shot which Williamson blocked down low.

On 32, combative midfielder Charlie Wood picked up the game's first yellow card for the latest in a number of fouls, moments before Mthunzi joined him in the book for a blatant shirt pull out wide.

The young Blues, playing in this season's new cream away kit, had created a couple of half chances but Mendel and Jamie Mauge both saw efforts from outside the box well blocked by the home backline.

In the 38th minute, Frankie Runham burst forward and drove in from the left before firing a 20-yard shot which forced home keeper Rylee Mitchell into a fine diving save. Fletcher was first to the rebound and tucked the ball into the net at the second attempt, but he was flagged offside.

The final action of the opening half saw the Essex side threaten again when Fletcher Hubbard struck a shot from 25 yards out which flew just wide of the target.

Town made the perfect start to the second half and took the lead five minutes after the restart. The ball was worked to Mendel, who played a delightful through ball into the path of the diagonal run of Fletcher, and the former Manchester City youngster beat Mitchell at his near post from six yards out.

Another dangerous Matthews cross was then headed straight at Williamson by Evans, shortly before Mendel curled the ball well wide of the target at the other end from the edge of the box.

Town had looked fairly comfortable in defence, right up until the final minute of normal time. A looping cross from Vladimir Paternoster was mishandled by Williamson, which allowed Lewis to take full advantage and fire home to level the scores.

Shak Nicolaou came close to restoring the lead in stoppage time but shot straight at Mitchell after a good run forward, moments before Mendel fired a shot inches over the bar from just outside the box.

With the game finishing level, it went straight to penalties. Mendel, Jakob Mazionis, Sid Eldred and Mthunzi all scored for Town with Mitchell saving Nicolaou's attempt. Williamson saved twice though, from Evans and Courtney Senior, which left the shootout ending 4-3 in Town's favour.

U21s: Williamson, Mthunzi, Elliott (Lewis 59), Mazionis, Wilkinson, Wood (Pedder 59), Mendel, Compton, Mauge (Eldred 88), Fletcher (Eze 82), Runham (Nicolaou 88). Unused: Wreford, Sains. Att: 347.

Photo: Matchday Images