IPSWICH Town Under-18s were unable to give themselves a confidence-boosting win before Tuesday night’s FA Youth Cup match after losing 1-0 to Charlton Athletic this morning.

The Under-18s were deservedly beaten as Charlton who played the conditions better on a wind-swept Playford Road training ground.

This was especially true in the second half when only the form of impressive keeper Conor O’Donnell stopped the Addicks from winning more handsomely – the only goal coming from sub Joe Pigott in the 76th minute.

With the academy side due to face Leeds United on Tuesday night at Portman Road, Under-18s boss Russell Osman opted to leave striker Jack Marriott and 15-year-old Byron Lawrence on the bench and start with just Jack Simmons upfront.

But he was left too isolated in a stop-start first half with little in the way of clear-cut chances.

The second half improved but unfortunately for the majority of the home crowd – which included first team skipper Grant Leadbitter – most of the chances came at O’Donnell’s end.

Charlton, who included Gus Poyet’s son Diego in their side, should have scored when Adebayo Azeez broke clear but shot wide before O’Donnell saved from Bradley Jordan and Morgan Fox.

But the keeper saved his best for the 69th minute when the dangerous Azeez headed goalwards but the Town keeper showed great reflexes to parry the effort away.

Osman brought on three subs – including Lawrence – but within a minute the deadlock was broken when Tobi Silva took advantage of some lacklustre home defending to feed Pigott who slotted the ball under the unfortunate O’Donnell.

Town looked to keep the ball on the ground more as the match wore on and Jide Maduako almost grabbed a late equaliser but his shot at the second attempt landed on the roof of the Charlton net.