RICKY Martin's Academy side battled back from 3-0 down to 3-2 but couldn't grab an equaliser against an Ipswich side reduced to ten men at Colney.

Norwich dominated the opening 10 minutes without generating any clear-cut scoring chances and after 15 minutes Ipswich took the lead with their first shot of the match, the Ipswich forward scoring an excellent goal from outside the area giving 'keeper Declan Rudd very little chance.

Norwich continued to enjoy the majority of possession but were hit on the counter-attack by the Blues, Dario Dumic slipping at the vital moment and Declan Rudd exposed one-on-one as the striker made it 2-0.

After 25 minutes Ipswich made it 3-0. With the Norwich defence appealing for a handball decision which didn't come, Declan Rudd's poor clearance fell straight to an Ipswich player who rolled the ball into the empty net.

The half-time whistle came, and without playing too badly and despite having a lot of possession, Norwich when into the break three goals down.

However, they couldn't have started the second half in better fashion, as just two minutes in midfielder Tom Adeyemi made the score 3-1 with a perfectly-placed shot into the top corner of the goal from just outside the area.

Norwich continued to press and their cause was helped when Ipswich were reduced to 10 men following a two-footed tackle by their centre forward.

On 65 minutes George Francomb was brought on to replace trialist Jackson Ramm and Korey Smith was moved to right midfield.

Norwich were now forcing the Ipswich defence deep into their own half and the pressure eventually paid off when Kris Renton nodded into the Ipswich net to make the score 3-2.

Late in the game Damon Lathrope had a goal-bound shot which was blocked on the goal line by team-mate Danny Kelly.

Despite more late pressure Norwich were unable to find the net again and the game finished 3-2 to Ipswich.

Academy Director Ricky Martin told First News: "Overall I was very disappointed with the result, this is our third defeat in a row and although there were some good individual performances in the team, people will only remember the result and this is something we will have to deal with as a group and react to it prior to the visit of Arsenal next Saturday."