IPSWICH Town’s Under-18’s returned to league action with a sparkling 1-0 victory over top of the table Crystal Palace at a windswept Playford Road.

Town were without Cropper, Schroder and Lavery so Burke led the line and O’Donnell was in goal.

With the game swinging from end to end, De Silva struck the Town post with a fierce shot while at the other end Carson had a shot blocked on the line and then struck a post before October headed narrowly over.

Both sides were contributing to a thrilling match in the difficult conditions and O’Donnell deflected a goal-bound effort from Sekajja over the bar.

A great run by Burke saw Jones firing against the post and as the half ended Carson was twice more thwarted by last-ditch Palace defending.

The woodwork again came to the Londoners’ rescue as McKeown fired a 40 yard wind assisted rocket against the bar and Burke managed to strike both bar and post.

Coach Gerard Nash sent on Lawrence and the tiny striker immediately began to create havoc in the Palace defence.

Just when it appeared that the match was destined to remain goalless, Town’s second substitute Maduako rose above everyone to power a corner high into the Palace net.

There was still time for Bennett to twice go close to extending their lead before the final whistle ended the Town youngsters’ best performance of the season.

On this display this weekend’s visit to Arsenal will hold no fears for the Blues.

Ipswich: O’Donnell, Bennett, Whight, Jones, Meekings, McKeown, Tiofack, Scotcher, Burke, Carson, October. Substitutes: Maduako, Hammond, Lawrence, Thompson

Town’s U16’s completed a good morning by beating their Palace counterparts 3-0.