IPSWICH TOWN: Despite a spirited first half performance, Blues Under-18’s lost by the odd goal in three at Crystal Palace.

From the kick off Town had the Londoners on the back foot with some splendid flowing football and created several good chances.

Palace were restricted to the odd breakaway that Cody Cropper dealt with well. After 27 minutes Ipswich forced a corner and Jide Maduarko rose to power a header into the Palace net, his first goal for the club.

As half time approached the flow of Town’s game was disrupted by injuries to Lavery and Jones. Palace emerged from the half-time interval in determined mood and it was the turn of Ipswich to defend a string of shots and corners.

Eventually the pressure told and from a free-kick the Palace left back reacted first to fire the loose ball into the Town net.

Worse was to follow when a rash challenge in the Londoners’ box resulted in a penalty that Cropper got a hand to but was unable to prevent crossing the line.

Town battled hard to get back into the game, but some of their younger players were tiring after a run of tough matches and at the final whistle Palace just about deserved their win.

Town will be looking to continue their amazing run of results when Arsenal visit Playford Road on Saturday with an 11am kick-off.