Defender Keys signed for the club on a permanent basis last week after being released by the U’s, having previously impressed on loan at the Taydal Stadium.

He celebrated with a goal in the seventh minute of Saturday’s contest, controlling a ball into the box before volleying home with the aid of a deflection.

It was no more than Regent deserved based on their play in the early stages, going close through Darren Mills, Billy Hunt and Harvey Hodd.

But Ipswich’s youngsters levelled at the end of the first half, when Jack Lancaster showed great footwork before firing past former FC Clacton goalkeeper Aaron Smyth.

Town then made the game safe with two goals early in the second half.

First, Lancaster capitalised on a slide-rule pass before coolly slotting home.

Armando Dobra then fired home the Blues’ third.

It was an excellent work-out for both teams, who produced some eye-catching football in the hot conditions.

And the watching scouts – representatives from four league clubs were thought to have been in attendance – will presumably have been impressed.

Brightlingsea’s new recruits showed up well.

Former Stowmarket Town wing-back Amar Lewis got through plenty of work on the right-hand side, Hodd looked sharp in midfield and ex-Leiston striker Mills showed his willingness to graft, with the makings of an encouraging attacking partnership with Hunt.

Regent were missing key personnel, including keeper James Bradbrook, skipper Matt Cripps, defender Josh Gould and midfielder Jake Turner.

Report By Matt Plummer and taken from the Colchester Gazette Website, this can be found here: http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/16355061.regent-see-their-lead-slip-against-ipswich-towns-youngsters-and-the-rest-of-todays-non-league-news/