Town's reserve side eventually beat Southampton 5-3 at Portman Road on Monday evening. A hat-trick from Nicky Forster and a brace from Matt Richards secured the win for Town, but goals from Leon Best, Marcelo Tejera and Theo Walcott almost put the result in doubt.

The young reserve side showed Sir Clive Woodward what they can do, as well as own first-teamers Jay McEveley, Dean Bowditch and Sito.

Dean McDonald wasn't far away in the third minute, his shot going just wide after Saints keeper Michael Poke had come out to deny Nicky Forster. Two minutes later the visitors had a goal disallowed for a push by Nathan Dyer in the area.

On eight, Leon Best almost put the Saints ahead. A cross from the right was missed by Town's Aidan Collins and Best took a touch before firing just wide from six yards.

Two minutes later though, Best did give Southampton the lead. The big striker rose to meet a throw-in from Craig Richards and his flick looped over Shane Supple and into the Town net.

The Blues equalised on 18 after a lovely through-ball from Dean McDonald allowed Forster to round the keeper and slide the ball home.

More good work from McDonald seven minutes later gave Town the lead. After good defending from Southampton to prevent Forster getting a shot in, McDonald recovered the situation. He beat one defender before sending a deep cross over for Matt Richards to volley in at the back post.

On 29 Supple made a fine double save to preserve Town's lead. Marcelo Tejera had a good shot parried by the Town keeper and the rebound was also saved by the young Irishman.

Liam Trotter spread the play out to Richards in the 37th minute, the England U21 international sending in a good cross which a Southampton defender almost turned into his own net, but luckily the ball went behind for a corner.

Town scored their third goal four minutes before the break. McDonald played a good ball to Jaime Peters who crossed for Nicky Forster to fire home from six yards out.

Two minutes later though and Supple almost let Southampton back in the game when a routine cross was dropped and he had to scramble back and stop it crossing the line.

The visitors made a change at half-time, replacing Matthew Mills with Feliciano Condesso.

Theo Walcott almost scored a spectacular goal five minutes after the restart. He shrugged off Scott Barron before cheekily chipping Supple but the ball went just wide.

On 58, a debateable offside decision allowed Walcott through on goal but Supple came out and smothered the ball at his feet.

Town then scored their fourth after a good run and cross from Forster. The ball deflected up onto Richards's head and went into the corner of the net.

On 61, Forster completed his hat-trick after more good running. He turned back inside and hit a shot that went under keeper Poke.

Southampton pulled a goal back on 72 when Tejera hit a curling effort over Supple and into the corner of the net from just outside the area. Five minutes later Town replaced French midfielder Jimmy Juan with Liam Craig.

Soon after, Southampton scored again. A mistake by Barron allowed Walcott to run through and finish well from just inside the area.

The final action of the game was when a corner came in and Supple elected to punch the ball but it hit Best and bounced just wide.

Forster looked very lively up front and his partnership with McDonald looked promising. Peters had another quiet game but the Town defence looked below par, especially in the second half.

Ipswich: 1 Shane Supple, 2 Sammy Moore, 3 Scott Barron, 4 Jimmy Juan (12 Liam Craig, 77), 5 Aidan Collins, 6 James Krause, 7 Jaime Peters, 8 Liam Trotter, 9 Nicky Forster, 10 Dean McDonald and 11 Matt Richards. Unused: 13 Darryl Knights, 14 Chris Casement, 15 Billy Clarke and 16 Danny Haynes.

Southampton: 1 Michael Poke, 2 Craig Richards, 3 Jason St Juste, 4 Lloyd James, 5 Matthew Mills (15 Feliciano Condesso, 45), 6 Darren Kenton, 7 Theo Walcott, 8 Nathan Dyer, 9 Leon Best, 10 Marcelo Tejera and 11 Leandre Griffit. Unused: 12 Josh Dutton-Black, 13 David Coles and 14 Adam Lallana. Att: 603.

Photo: Action Images

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