Suffolk Premier Cup First Round Long Melford 0 Ipswich Town 2 Long Melford Manager Jamie Bradbury said switching off cost his side dear in their 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town in the Omni Freight Services Suffolk Premier Cup last night, writes Nick Garnham.

The visitors, who as expected field an Academy side, scored twice in two minutes just after the hour during Wednesday’s first round tie at Stoneylands to book a second-round trip to Hadleigh United.

After an entertaining but goalless opening period, Long Melford started the second half on the front foot and had strong appeals for a penalty waved aside following a corner.

- Town linked with Waterford striker

A close-range effort from debutant George Day, signed from Bury Town/Team Bury, was saved by Harry Wright, who had pulled off a flying save to deny Callum Hemsom mid-way through the first half.

The Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side fell behind in the 62nd minute, Declan Daniels slamming home at the far post after Dylan Crowe’s cross had been flicked on following good build-up play between Daniels and Monty Patterson.

Full New Zealand international Patterson then picked himself up to send David Leader the wrong way from the spot a minute later after he had been fouled by Scott Sloots.

- Town ladies crush Norwich 8-1

Long Melford boss Bradbury, who took over the reins from Jules Mumford in the summer, reflected: “Tonight was the story of our season; we have struggled to get wins, but it has not been for the want of trying.

“We were on top at the start of the second half and had a good penalty appeal turned down, and a couple of minutes later we fell behind.

“You can’t afford to fall asleep against sides with the pace and technical ability they had. The second goal looked like a clear-cut penalty, and to concede two goals in two minutes killed us.

- Town v Norwich will be all-ticket

“I am disappointed, but overall we played really well, and the players worked their socks off. We tried different players in different positions tonight and our second choice keeper had a game, so it was a good training session for us, and we could have nicked something.”