Town's two-match Scandinavian tour ended in defeat as the Blues went down 2-0 to AaB Aalborg. A goal in each half from Allan Gaarde, the second a contentious penalty, won the game for the home side.

The Blues started with what looks close to a full-strength side, but with Lewis Price continuing in goal and Richard Naylor up front alongside Darren Bent.

Price came in after Kelvin Davis picked up a minor back injury in the warm-up. The former Wimbledon and Luton man is not expected to be a long-term absentee but may miss Tuesday's trip to Oxford.

As with all Town's pre-season games so far, chances were far and few between. Jim Magilton's freekick on to the roof of the net and Ian Westlake's shot wide from just outside the area the Blues' only efforts in the first half hour.

Lewis Price impressed with a block at the feet of midfielder-turned-striker Jacob Sorensen in the 23rd minute.

Skipper Jim Magilton got his name in the book for the second time on the tour after fouling Brazilian winger Wellington on the edge of the Town box.

The Blues had had a fair amount of possession without ever really threatening the Danish side. However, in the 34th minute Darren Bent made a sharp run down the right before crossing to Richard Naylor whose sharp header was plucked from the air by keeper Jimmy Neilsen.

Just before the break the home side went in front. Striker Tulio headed the ball back across the box towards fellow Brazilian Wellington who completely missed his kick. However, the Blues failed to clear and the ball came back into the area towards Gaarde who beat Price.

At the break Town introduced Mark Rivers, giving him a third opportunity to stake his claim for a permanent deal, replacing new signing Kevin Horlock - neat and tidy as in his previous games.

Goalmouth action continued to be a rare occurrence in the second half but the Danes almost went further ahead in the 63rd minute when Drissa Diallo somewhat clumsily tripped over the ball, and allowed Sorensen to get in a shot which he put wide.

Darren Bent shot weakly at Neilsen on a couple of occasions but the Blues never really created anything clear-cut, Pablo Couñago again looking far from his best.

Price made a fine save in the 78th minute, tipping Martin Pedersen's well-struck 20-yard shot round the post.

Rivers, who was again failing to really impose himself on the game, hit a decent strike on 82 only for a defender to block. At the other end Sorensen wasted a good opportunity after getting away beyond the Town defence, only to delay his shot, allowing Fabian Wilnis to get back.

With three minutes left on the clock the home side went two goals up. Pedersen beat Richards down the Danes' right flank, the Town full-back tripping him. The incident was clearly well outside the area but the referee awarded a penalty. Price stood little chance with Gaarde's powerful spot-kick.

A largely disappointing game, with the Blues still not firing on all cylinders. The two goals at Peterborough last week remain Town's only strikes of the pre-season campaign.

It's always dangerous to read too much into pre-season games; this time last year the Blues were completing the third of three comfortable and goal-laden wins on that season's tour only for the season proper to start very poorly.

How much new personnel, the various exits and the Danes' superior fitness at this stage - they start their season next week - are affecting results and performances remains to be seen.

Town: Price, Wilnis, Richards, Diallo, De Vos, Westlake, Magilton (Bowditch 71), Miller, Bent, Naylor (Couñago 56), Horlock (Rivers 46).

Photo: Action Images

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