IPSWICH TOWN: The Blues’ youngsters have taken four points from their last two Academy League games to put their season back on course.

Few would have predicted that they would gain anything from a trip to Aston Villa, but an 80th minute Cormac Burke header earned a well-deserved point.

Last Saturday, Reading were the visitors to Playford Road and Town, who welcomed back keeper Cody Cropper from his exploits in Peru with the USA Under-20’s, ran out 4-3 winners.

After 11 minutes Burke produced a shot out of the blue that screamed into the Reading net. Cropper made a string of saves as the Royals fought back and it was no surprise when Sozie Ugwu took advantage of a mistake at the far post to equalise.

From a rare attack Town restored their lead. Callum Bennett flicked on a corner and Nici Schroder forced the ball home for his first goal for the club.

Soon it was three as Josh Carson finished a flowing Ipswich move with a fine shot into the corner, and half time came with Ipswich holding a somewhat flattering two goal lead.

A pulsating second half began with both sides going close Ugwu shot narrowly over, Lavery twice went close for Town while Burke struck the Reading bar with a curling shot.

After 69 minutes the visitors pulled a goal back when an under pressure Cropper fumbled a cross and D’Ath forced the ball over the line.

Jide Maduako came on for Ipswich and with his first touch shaved the Reading bar, but the visitors were soon on terms when D’Ath scored his second from a well-worked free kick.

With both sides going all out for the winner, it was Carson who earned the three points for Town with just a minute of normal time left striking a tremendous shot from 30 yards that was worthy of winning any game. The action was far from over as Cropper was carried off after falling heavily. After a lengthy delay, Conor O’Donnell who had just completed a match for the Under-16’s took his place.

As tempers frayed, Rory McKeown lunged at a Reading defender as was shown a straight red card. The incident sparked a confrontation between players of both sides and when the officials finally restored order Reading’s Carr joined McKeown in the dressing room.

Cropper has since recovered fully.

This Saturday Ipswich meet Norwich City at the Canaries’ Colney training centre with an 11am kick-off.

Ipswich: Cropper, Bennett, McKeown, Jones, Meekings, Schroder, Burke, Carson, Lavery, Scotcher, Tiofack. Subs. Maduako, O’Donnell, Acott, Simmons, Lawrence.

Town Under-16’s lost 2-0 to Reading.