John McGreal's side went into the game off the back of a goalless away to Swansea City in the Professional Development League last week.
The young Blues included trialist defender Max Kuczynski, who is currently with Arsenal’s academy. The 18-year-old also operates as a left-back, but he only played the first half, so it was hard to judge his performance.
Tudor Mendel in action against Millwall at Portman Road. Tudor Mendel in action against Millwall at Portman Road. (Image: Ross Halls)
The visitors opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Sheldon Kendall curled a shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the box.
Millwall doubled their lead ten minutes after the restart when Jaden Celestine-Charles got into space and took aim, finding the bottom corner.
Town pulled a goal back in the 65th minute, with substitute Afi Adebayo shooting across the goalkeeper George Evans and into the corner of the net.
Tommy Taylor pulls a goal back for Ipswich Town U21s. Tommy Taylor pulls a goal back for Ipswich Town U21s. (Image: Ross Halls)
However, the Lions extended their lead ten minutes later as Celestine-Charles netted his brace, firing the ball home from a rebound.
The young Blues looked down and out, but in the first minute of added time, they pulled a goal back through captain Tommy Taylor, who slipped the ball under the goalkeeper after a excellent pass from Matty Roberts.
Town pushed for an equaliser in the final stages and they levelled with the last kick of the game as Somto Boniface crossed to the far post. Substitute Abube Onuchukwu fired past a crowd of players and into the net to earn a point.
It was an fantastic ending for the young Blues, who struggled to break down the visitors’ defence throughout the game, but they worked hard to salvage a draw.
Afi Adebayo impressed off the bench for Ipswich Town U21s. Afi Adebayo impressed off the bench for Ipswich Town U21s. (Image: Ross Halls)
Town’s subs made such a big impact, with Adebayo, who has overcome his recent injury set-backs, making his mark with a goal. His overall play down the right caused the visitors’ defence plenty of problems.
It was great to see Onuchuku back in action after some injury problems. He brought incredible scenes with his late leveller, having signed for Town from Aston Villa last summer.
The young Blues returned to action with a trip to Colchester United this Friday.
Town U21s: Binns, Elliott (Onuchukwu), Boniface, Agbaje, Kuczynski (Heard), Turner (Towler), Mendel (Adebayo), Compton, Mauge, T Taylor (c), Roberts.