Cardiff City’s under-18 team, leaders of their Professional Development League division, suffered a 2-1 defeat against Ipswich Town in Suffolk.
Captain Sam Bowen fired the young Bluebirds in front at Playford Road, but Ipswich hit back to win thanks to goals from Lounes Foudil and Zak Brown.
It was an eventful day for 18-year-old Felixstowe-born striker Brown, who won a penalty, missed the penalty, scored Ipswich Town’s winner and was then sent off during second half injury time.
Former England under-15 international Brown was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Ipswich were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute Zak Brown was brought down, but his spot-kick was saved by Cardiff goalkeeper George Ratcliffe with a great low stop.
That was one of several top class saves by the sharp and alert Ratcliffe.
The visitors went ahead when Sam Bowen fired home a loose ball on the volley after Ipswich failed to clear following a corner.
The Bluebirds led 1-0 at half-time and Bowen smashed his shot against a post on the hour, while substitute Isaak Davies had an opening within 60 seconds of going on. His shot was blocked by an alert home defender.
Foudil equalised on 65 minutes when he headed in from close range.
Ipswich took the lead on 70 minutes when Lewis Reed set up an opening with a flicked pass and Brown raced round Bluebirds shot-stopper Ratcliffe before slotting in from a narrow angle.
It was a close-fought match which could have gone either way and Cardiff, who recalled top scorer Dan Griffiths after he scored his first under-23 goal last week, will aim for a return to winning ways against Nottingham Forest at home next Saturday.
Ipswich Town: Toby Egan, Allan Viral (Ben Wyss 52), Lucas Vega, Fraser Alexander, Loule Fehrenbach, Alex Henderson, Dylan Ruffles, Liam Gibbs, Zak Brown, Lounes Foudil, Tyreece Simpson (Lewis Reed 59).
Cardiff City: George Ratcliffe, Jac Davies, Ben Margetson, Ryan Reynolds, Joel Bagan (Rubin Colwill 80), Keenan, Patten, Sam Bowen (capt), Harry Pinchard, Kieron Evans, Sion Spence, Dan Griffiths (Isaak Davies 61). Subs not used: Jordan Duffey (gk), Sam Parsons.
Results: Sheffield United 0, Barnsley 0; Crystal Palace 1, Charlton Athletic 0; Queens Park Rangers 1, Coventry City 0; Ipswich Town 2, Cardiff City 1; Crewe Alex 2, Birmingham City 4.
Professional Development Under-18 League South
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| Cardiff City U18 |
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| Millwall U18 |
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| Ipswich Town U18 |
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| Queens Park Ra… |
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| Bristol City U18 |
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| Charlton Athle… |
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| Watford U18 |
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| Crystal Palace U18 |
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| Coventry City U18 |
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| Colchester Uni… |
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Remaining Cardiff City PDL youth fixtures
March
Wednesday 6 v Swansea City (Welsh Youth Cup semi-final, to be played at Stebonheath Park,Llanelli, 7.30pm)
Saturday 9 v Nottingham Forest (home at Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith, Noon)
Saturday 16 v Leeds United (away, 11am)
Saturday 23 v Bolton Wanderers (away, 11am)
Saturday 30 v Sheffield Wednesday (home at Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith, 11am)
April
Saturday 6 v Crewe Alexandra (away, 11am)
Saturday 13 v Burnley (home at Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith, 11am)