A strong Town side was beaten 2-1 by Arsenal’s U21s in their opening EFL Trophy fixture at Portman Road. Jon Nolan gave the Blues the lead in the 28th minute before one-time Town trialist George Lewis equalised first-half in injury time, then Folarin Balogun grabbed what proved to be the winner in the 54th minute. The Blues huffed and puffed and hit the woodwork twice as they looked for a leveller which never came.
Town’s winning and clean sheet runs came to an end and the Blues missed out on a chance to go top as Cheltenham netted six minutes from time to grab a 1-1 draw at Whaddon Road. Conor Chaplin put Town, who are down to third, ahead in the 64th minute with his 22nd goal of the season but Alfie May claimed an equaliser for the Robins on 84 with the Blues having previously looked to be seeing the game out for a ninth successive win.
Cheltenham Town frustrated Town to claim a draw at Portman Road for the second successive season, the game ending 1-1. Luke Woolfenden gave the Blues the lead in the eighth minute but Ryan Broom levelled for the Robins on 34 with the visitors only shot on target and Town dominated the second half without finding a second goal.