Lowestoft Town gave an Ipswich Town U23 side a good run for their money on Wednesday evening before eventually going down 2-1 in a pre-season friendly.
The Trawlerboys recovered from the shock of conceding an early goal to give a fine account of themselves at Crown Meadow and deservedly equalised early in the second half through Jake Reed before the visitors quickly regained the lead.
Ipswich U23s were ahead inside three minutes when a quick counter-attack ended with Harrison Myring beating Luis Tibbles, who then made a good save to foil Lounes Fondil.
But Lowestoft gradually got into their stride, with Reed seeing a good effort come back off the woodwork in the 34th minute and sending a shot just wide five minutes later.
It was that man Jake Reed who got Lowestoft back on level terms on 50 minutes with a fine finish, but six minutes later it was 2-1 to the Town youngsters as skipper Aaron Drinan rounded off a swift break by deftly chipping the advancing Tibbles.
Jamie Godbold’s side twice went close to equalising again, with a Reed effort being blocked and a Jack Wilkinson free-kick hitting the bar, but Ipswich took the win.

Lowestoft: Tibbles, Cole, J Wilkinson, Trialist, Jarvis, Deeks, Zielonka, Fisk, Reed, Bammant, M Wilkinson. Subs: Tann, Godbold and three trialists.

Jamie Godbold’s side welcome Bowers and Pitsea to Crown Meadow tomorrow (Saturday) before travelling to Gorleston on Tuesday evening and then completing their pre-season preparations with a home match against Dereham Town on Saturday week.
The Southern League Premier Central season kicks off on August 10 with a trip to Hednesford.