Brentford Under-21s made it back-to-back Professional Development League wins on Thursday night, saluting 2-1 over Ipswich Town Under-21s at Portman Road Stadium.

The young Bees went down 1-0 early in the first half, however drew level thanks to a Kyreece Lisbie header. An 81st-minute Iwan Morgan winner secured the three points for Neil MacFarlane’s side in an impressive display.

Brentford began in superb style, earning a shot on target inside one minute of action. Morgan took possession down the right side, pushed his way into the box and fired a left foot strike, however it was well kept out by Henry Gray in goal for Ipswich.

Morgan almost had the opener a minute later as he headed home an Ethan Brierley cross, however he was ruled offside.

Despite some early dominance from MacFarlane’s group, it was Ipswich who found an early opener, Jesse Nwabueze firing it home on five minutes.

The young Tractor Boys enjoyed a period of momentum after absorbing Brentford’s early attack. They nearly doubled their lead on 10 minutes as they got on the counter attack, Ashley Boatswain receiving the ball on the edge of the box and firing at goal, his shot going over the bar.

Still eyeing an opener, Brentford got just that on 14 mintes off another superb cross from Brierley. The midfielder’s ball found its way to Lisbie behind Ipswich’s defensive line, the forward able to head it home to equalise.

The game continued to be an entertaining one played at a fast pace, Ipswich keen to go ahead again. Nwabueze came close on 18 minutes, his shot kept out by Julian Eyestone in goal for the visitors.

Following a non-stop first half of the opening 45 minutes, the game settled into a steady pace across the final 20 minutes. Morgan came close to finding his first on 34 minutes after some early chances as he won the ball back off an Ipswich defender, however his strike was kept out by Gray.

The young Bees continued to carry the momentum as half-time approached, two chances going begging inside the final 10 minutes. Tony Yogane’s cross from the left side on 39 minutes hit Isaac Holland at the back post, however his strike was sent out of play by Gray for a corner.

Vonnte Williams’ ensuing corner was perfectly placed for Benjamin Fredrick as he flew through the box, however his header was left of the goal.

As they did in the first half, Brentford started the stronger of the two teams in the second 45 minutes. The young Bees came inches from going ahead on 50 minutes, Lisbie’s header at the back post going across goal to Laidlaw who wasn’t able to get clean contact on the ball, eventually cleared off the line by Ipswich.

Thomas Taylor went close to finding the hosts’ second goal two minutes later. He took possession outside the box and fired immediately, but it was over the bar.

A frantic five minutes ensued in Brentford’s attacking end as they searched for a winner. Lisbie pushed his way into the right-hand side of the box, crossing it to Morgan whose header at goal was deflected away by the Ipswich defense.

Brierley came close to finding the young Bees’ second soon after as they won the ball back from Gray. With the Ipswich keeper off his line, Brierley shot immediately, however it was cleared away by the hosts’ defenders.

The ensuing corner was met by a strong Benjamin Arthur header, however as Fredrick’s did earlier, the strike was left of the goal.

Brentford’s reward for effort came as the game entered its final 10 minutes, Lisbie again involved in the play. He broke down the right side, beating his man to the ball and crossing it into the box, finding Morgan who hit the back of the net from close range.

Despite Ipswich’s best efforts to equalise late in the game, strong defending ensured Brentford secured all three points away from home.

Ipswich Town U21s: Gray, Babb, Lewis, Mazionis, O’Connor, Turner, Davis, Okunowo, Boatswain, Taylor, Nwabueze

Subs: Fleischer, Jambang, Towler, Ayoola, Mendel

Brentford U21s: Eyestone, Holland (Dickov, 75’), Yogane (Shield, 88’), Williams (Headman, 88’), Fredrick, Arthur, Lisbie, Brierley, Morgan, Owen, Laidlaw (Hay, 68’)

Subs not used: Avenell

MacFarlane pleased with 90-minute performance

Brentford Under-21s head coach Neil MacFarlane was full of praise for his side following their 2-1 PDL win over Ipswich Town Under-21s.

Despite going down early in the game, MacFarlane was rapt with the group's response and ability to continually create chances.