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Joe Pigott’s third goal of the season has given the Blues a 1-0 half-time lead in their Papa John’s Trophy tie at Gillingham.

Town boss Paul Cook will field a changed but still very competitive side when the Blues face Gillingham in the Papa John's Trophy at the Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday evening and says it’s a chance for those currently on the fringes to make a case for a place in the team which takes on Shrewsbury at Portman Road in League One on Saturday.

Town picked up their second away win of the season as Roy Keane’s men beat George Burley’s Crystal Palace 2-1 in an ill-tempered clash at Selhurst Park, both teams ending the match with 10 men. Grant Leadbitter netted a penalty just after the break, Claude Davis having been sent off for a foul on Jon Stead, then Carlos Edwards added the second, prior to Andros Townsend making an early exit and Neil Danns pulling a late goal back for the home side.

Town's U18s fell to their first pre-season defeat on Thursday afternoon with a 4-2 loss to Southend United at a windswept Playford Road. Ed Upson and Jordan Rhodes were on the scoresheet for the home side.

Striker Pablo Couñago and defender Ben Thatcher will again be missing when the Blues take on Southend United at Roots Hall this evening (KO 7.45pm). Couñago injured his groin earlier in pre-season, while Thatcher is not yet entirely over last season's knee ligament injury.