Town fell to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Belgian second division side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in their final pre-season friendly at Portman Road. The Blues had dominated but only went in front in the 61st minute through Daryl Murphy, but the Belgians hit back with two goals in three minutes on 72 and 75 via Mathias Fixelles and Nicolas Rajsel.

Trialist Roland Lamah made his second start for the Blues, having previously impressed in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Charlton Athletic.

Also starting was summer addition Adam Webster at centre-half alongside Christophe Berra, while Daryl Murphy was partnered by Freddie Sears up front.

David McGoldrick was on the bench, while Brett Pitman (toe) and Luke Hyam (knee) missed out but are expected to be fit for next week. Dean Gerken was again not included, due to his hamstring injury.

Town dominated the early stages against the Belgian second tier side - who had brought an 122-strong but noisy following - and Sears forced visiting keeper Anthony Sadin into a save in the fifth minute, the Royale Union captain blocking from the striker at a tight angle on the left following a corner, however, the linesman’s flag had been raised.

Two minutes later a subsequent corner, also on the left, led to another chance. Trialist Lamah cleverly played in Berra on the left of the box but Murphy couldn’t reach the Scotland international’s cross.

As the game moved past the 10-minute mark Lamah unleashed a powerful strike from distance which flew just over Sadin’s bar.

The visitors’ first chance came in the 14th minute when a cross from the right reached Rajsel deep on the left but skipper Luke Chambers got across to block.

Kevin Bru curled a 19th-minute freekick just past Sadin’s left post with the Blues continuing to have most of the game but so far without providing a test for Royale Union keeper Sadin.

The Blues twice went close to going in front in the 23rd minute when Murphy flicked a near-post header from Sears’s left-wing cross against the bar. The loose bouncing ball fell to Bishop on the edge of the six-yard box but Royale Union keeper Sadin somehow kept out his header at point-blank.

The Belgians’ rare forays forward had largely been snuffed out by the Town defence with Bartosz Bialkowski untroubled. On the half hour Charles Morren struck a low shot from 20 yards but well wide of Bialkowski’s post.

Three minutes later, Murphy saw a shot blocked, then Bru looped a dipping effort from distance which went over.

On 36 Jonas Knudsen crossed from the left and Murphy headed straight at the Belgian keeper.

Two minutes later, the Blues went closer, Chambers flicking on a Berra header from a Bru corner but Tracy Mpati Bibuangu cleared off the line.

Lamah shot wide from 25 years in the 42nd minute with the Blues continuing to have chances but so far without taking any of them.

And that was the way the game remained at the break. A largely one-sided game in which the Blues had created a number of opportunities but without converting any of them.

Tommy Smith replaced Berra - who had required treatment during the first half - ahead of the start of the second period.

Four minutes after the restart Lamah made a powerful run from deep and looked to feed Sears but the striker had strayed offside. The break prompted shouts of ‘Sign him up!’ from the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

The second half substitutions began in the 53rd minute when David McGoldrick replaced Bishop.

On 57 Jordan Massengo was yellow-carded for pulling back McGoldrick and while the Blues prepared to take the freekick Andre Dozzell took over from Lamah, who was warmly applauded off again having made an impression.

Freddy Mombongo Dues looped an overhead kick to Bialkowski, before the Blues finally went in front in the 61st minute. Bru sent over a corner from the left and Murphy rose highest to head home his first goal of pre-season.

Two minutes later, Bru stabbed wide after a loose ball fell to him just inside the penalty area.

As Town looked to add to their lead McGoldrick headed against a defender from a Knudsen cross from the left.

But on 72 the visitors equalised. From a Blues corner, Rajsel brought the ball forward at pace with Cole Skuse the only Town man back. He fed Fixelles breaking to his left, who beat the advancing Bialkowski.

And three minutes later, the Belgians were in front. Skipper Chambers was caught in possession by Rajsel, who took the ball inside before smashing a shot past Bialkowski.

As the game moved into its final 10 minutes McGoldrick hit a freekick into the Royale Union wall, then Dozzell volleyed through to the keeper. Moments later, McGoldrick skipped into the area on the left but stabbed wide.

In the closing stages, their goals having given them confidence, the visitors began to pass the ball around more confidently with the Blues rarely threatening to get back on terms.

In the one minute of injury time McGoldrick saw a shot blocked and then from the resultant corner a number of players, including Chambers and Webster, had efforts cleared off the line by the keeper or his defenders. That was the last action with the visitors celebrating their victory at the final whistle.

It was a win which should never have been theirs with Town having had the chances to have had the game sealed before their quick-fire second-half goals, prior to which they had presented little if any threat.

Having been angered by the defending which had led to Cambridge’s equaliser last week, manager Mick McCarthy is likely to have been even less impressed with the way his side conceded the two Royale Union goals and fell to a defeat to such comparatively lowly opposition.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra (T Smith 46), Knudsen, Skuse, Bru, Bishop (McGoldrick 53), Lamah (Dozzell 58), Sears, Murphy. Unused: Crowe, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Douglas, Digby, Malarczyk, McDonnell, Stewart, McLoughlin.

RUSG: Sadin (c), Morren, Mpati Bibuangu, Cabeke, Vandiepenbeeck, Wallaert (Fixelles 67), Aguemon (Zitte 83), Martens, Mombongo Dues, Rajsel, Massengo. Unused: Salah, Kaminiaris, Neels, Palmeri, Saussez. Referee: Nicholas Kingsley. Att: 3,713 (RUSG: 122).

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 18:55 - Jul 30 Great pre-season...now losing to a team many have had to google, get a grip McCarthy!
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GiveusaWave added 19:01 - Jul 30 Nothing to actually worry about. Understandably, the result is extremely embarrassing but just one of those bizarre games where the amount of possession didn't turn into goals. We comfortably won the first half and should have been 2 or 3 ahead really. When they equalised I honestly don't think they could quite believe it and it gave them the confidence to score once more and then comfortably control the match. On balance of play we should have won this easily. Union fans couldn't quite believe what had happened (they played 2 English league 2 clubs last year and got comfortably thrashed by both Dagenham and Newport) so this was a huge result for them. Though they had only about 100 fans they made loads of noise and most were in tears at the end in disbelief at the result. I do believe in Mick and the squad and think we will turn this around against Barnsley. We played a mix of football, looked lively and Lamah looks like our kind of player. If we keep it tight at the back we may get a result against Barnsley. Honestly believe that.

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warktheline added 19:13 - Jul 30 Guentchev "if we keep it tight at the back we may get a result against Barnsley. Honestly believe that ". Sorry gang but has it really come to this? Many many years ago I remember my old man waking me up telling me Town had won at Villa Park, at that moment I honestly believed we were going to win the league that year! Alas, sadly it wasn't to be.....NOW LOOK!😳

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brittaniaman added 19:23 - Jul 30 I heard yesterday that this team Royal Union only had two weeks pre-season training ????? so I thought this should be good for us. WRONG AGAIN ??
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Tractorboy1985 added 19:29 - Jul 30 Jas0999 would love to meet sometime for a pint prior to kick off as u speak very good sense my friend and is refreshing we do have fans who understand the game!
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BrettenhamBlue added 19:31 - Jul 30 The most worrying part about this result? Lamah was our MOM and he is a Trialist who it sounds like we might not sign. This is like losing to St Albans. Great pre-season we have had. Barnet, Shelbourne, Cambridge, Union, Coggeshall, Hadleigh, Colchester. All the Giants. Anyone else afraid of this season?
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prebbs007 added 19:31 - Jul 30 Sorry Penguin downmark was error !!
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Tractorboy1985 added 19:40 - Jul 30 Prebbs007 u too for a pint but sometime I feel your criticism of mick is harsh! It IS EVANS who is to blame ALTHOUGH I know it's mick garbage tactics that make us moan BUT invest properly and sensibly and we wouldn't have to incounter such garbage football with such average players!
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Tractorboy1985 added 19:47 - Jul 30 Poldark u r a berk!! Wake up!!
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Hegansheroes added 19:54 - Jul 30 Can't wait to hear MM on Radio Suffolk coming out with more bull, droning on & on. God he's boring. Can't think of a worse form of torture than being locked in a room with him and Geoff Boycott. Can any one tell me when they saw any team managed by MM that was entertaining. My heart sunk when he was appointed but I didn't expect the football to be this bad. Prior to this match there were comments about playing inferior opposition, well they beat us so wtf does that make ITFC. Was considering a season ticket but now confirmed I won't, can't bare to watch a MM team any more

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MicksZzzTactics added 20:09 - Jul 30 PJisaGoat: Now my conniving ex mother-in-law will probably object to that bit of an unfair homage you pay to "rocking" St. Albans LOL!(Which football-wise is of the rather lowly Southern division of the National League where btw they only escaped relegation last season by "suddenly" winning something like 7 of the last 9) .... but otherwise you sum it up concisely very well! :-)

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Seasider added 20:17 - Jul 30 Well I said previously Mick has talked the talk,can he walk the walk;clearly not on this showing.Yes we had best of first half,but not the second;and look at the clubs who have beaten this Belgian opposition.. Prebbs is right about the two full backs,both were useless.How much longer can we excuse Chambers by saying he is being played out of position.He is so cocksure of himself,being captain and knowing that he wont be dropped.He was caught in possession for one goal,and stranded upfield for the other.As this was only a friendly,why couldn't the Dinosaur have played Emmanuel and Kenlock for at least some of the game. I begin to wonder if McCarthy and his sidekick are sufficiently capable to coach a footballing side they seem to be trying to do at the moment, as it is such a change for them as well as the players,some of whom appeared sluggish compared to their counterparts. Hopefully perhaps with a couple of additions and perseverance beyond the beginning of September(last years defeat to Reading)it will come good,we shall see! I feel that there is much to be done to fire up the faithful,following this display.I cannot remember a worse pre=season in over 50 years,following on from a decrease of 1000 in season ticket renewals,a decrease of 3000 at the open day;and now the lowest attendance I can recall for a home pre-season game preceding League ko of some 3500

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MicksZzzTactics added 20:17 - Jul 30 HegansHeroes: ROFL!!! Aye, being locked in room for days with unequivocally rubbish-talking & ultra arrogant Mick The Dinosaur .... AND Geoff Boycott!!!!!!!!!! doses indeed probably constitute something bordering on "torture", even according to The Geneva Conventions! :-)
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fifeblue added 20:44 - Jul 30 There are not enough goals in the team to mount a serious challenge at the top end of the league. They are going to do well to be mid-table this coming season. Cash in on Murphy who has had his wonder season two years ago and buy another striker. And for goodness sake get a creative midfielder!
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evansblue added 21:17 - Jul 30 I quite enjoyed today. Started with a very nice chicken tikka wrap at the Biriani Hut and the game wasn't that bad. Sat right near the dug out which is not where I normally sit and it was interesting listening to Mick and TC. Thought the 122 visiting fans were excellent; non stop singing all game. We played quite well for 60 or so minutes and passed it around quite nicely. Webster looked good as did Bishop and chambers. My concern is up front though where we lack pace. We really do need to splash out on a pacey front player. Murphy also is not the player of 2 seasons ago. As for Lamah he did ok but came off before the end so I doubt we will see him again. I don't think we have a chance of top 6 but Play the kids and a bit more football and I'll keep on turning up. Just a game.

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manualthetisfanclub added 21:24 - Jul 30 A load of bullocks!
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blueboy1981 added 21:30 - Jul 30 bohslegend, essex57, Bert, Elto and a few other unmentionables - EXPLAIN THAT ONE AWAY - if you can, or dare, to raise your heads above the parapet. This Club continually let YOU down, just as much as it does the rest of us. One day soon you may wise up - although that's as unlikely as MM changing his ways. DIRE SITUATION - pre season friendly, or not.
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blueboy1981 added 21:32 - Jul 30 ......... oh forgot - we did play a top team - Didn't we .... ???
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H1960 added 21:33 - Jul 30 Sorry jaso999 did not mean to downmark your last comment I meant tbe opposite
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DirtyOldNodger added 21:38 - Jul 30 Must be cold all the way up there on your giant soapbox blueboy!
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Taricco_Fan added 21:45 - Jul 30 When you look around the Championship you see big money being spent all over the place, and while money doesn't guarantee success (see Derby or Fulham), it's certainly becoming more crucial to launching a promotion push. We've barely strengthened at all in the off-season with key areas of weakness being neglected yet again (right-back, wingers, a creative midfielder?) Even the few highlights in the squad are questionable. Murphy - getting on a bit and had a poor season last year. McGoldrick - made of driftwood. Sears - routinely played out of position but even so, is he really that good? Bishop - not sure about him yet? I can't see us troubling the play-offs or even the top half. We could well struggle. I think we will end up somewhere in the 13th-18th area of the table come May given our lack of investment and already poor squad. I hope to be proven wrong but last year was a backward step in league position and I expect that trend to continue this season. This club is quite simply rotting away under Evans.

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essex57 added 21:45 - Jul 30 Thought you didn't want me to communicate with me bluebore 81 couldn't make the game so can't comment however not to worried it's from next Saturday to may that matters you lot just get on with drowning in your misery
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blueboy1981 added 21:50 - Jul 30 ........ essex57 - high time you crawled back into your shell, before inflicting more embarrassment on yourself. Advise: Engage brain ... !! - before opening mouth. And it's you Mensa candidate ... ?? that read my post - or hadn't you realised (highly likely).
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Daz added 21:54 - Jul 30 Was there today, we had most of the possession and passed it around well. Got countered from the corner for the first but the second chambers was turned to easy by the attacker and give up as he passed him. McG needs more games but was a danger 4 us. My only Concern is the Rb (very slow) and Knudsen getting naked getting forward with little attack down the right due to RB.

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blueboy1981 added 22:05 - Jul 30 DirtyOldNodger ............... fact is I haven't (and never do) have to climb far to get there - and you, and others, know it. Sorry, should have added you to 'the named' on the previous list - don't worry pal, I will next time - you've earned the creditation.
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