Reggie Lambe came within inches of making a dream debut for Ipswich Town in their Carling Cup clash against Shrewsbury last night.

The Bermuda international had a header cleared off the line during his side's thrilling first round encounter, which Ipswich eventually won 4-2 on penalties after the two sides battled to a 3-3 draw after extra time.

Lambe was just one of a host of youngsters picked by manager Roy Keane for the game, and the 18-year-old impressed throughout his 78 minutes on the pitch, creating the first goal for fellow young-gun Connor Wickham.

Wickham scored twice, as Keane's Kids fought back from a goal down to finally see off a team who play two divisions below them.

Lambe went close to getting his name on the score sheet as well, rising well from a corner, only to see his effort headed away by Shrewsbury's Graham Coughlan.

Shewsbury's Jake Robinson cancelled out Wickham's 11th minute strike, and found the equaliser from 10 yards after a left wing cross evaded the Ipswich defence.

And the League Two club stunned their Championship opponents through a brilliant volley from Dave Hibbert but Ipswich were level before the break, Alan Quinn finding the net from an 18 yard free-kick.

Wickham grabbed his second early in the second-half with a left foot finish and Ipswich looked set to add to the scoreline when Lambe's effort was well cleared, but it was the Shrews who struck late on through Shane Cansdell-Sherriff's excellent finish to take the game into extra-time and then penalties.

The nail-biting shootout saw goalkeeper Shane Supple save from Robinson to give the visitors the advantage and Coughlan failed from the spot after Walters, Wickham, Quinn and Upson had converted to see Blues into the Second Round.

Roy Keane made 10 changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Coventry on Saturday, with defender Alex Bruce the only survivor, the Republic of Ireland international taking the captain's armband. Town gave debuts to Jack Ainsley, Lambe, Jack Colback and Colin Healy with Blues fielding a side half full of teenagers at the Prostar Stadium.

Lambe was offered a contract on the recommendation of Ipswich's under-18 coaches and put pen to paper last month.

He enjoyed an outstanding season at both the youth and reserve levels last term for Ipswich who he joined as an academy scholar two years ago after impressing scouts while playing for Kenny Thompson's Youth Academy in Holland.

Shrewsbury Town: Neal, Holden, Coughlan, Disley, Langmead, Hibbert (Riza 68), Robinson, Elder (Bright 64), Murray (105), Cansdell-Sherriff, McIntyre. Subs not used: Hooman, Gray, Simpson, Arestidou. Booked: Holden.

Ipswich Town: Supple, Ainsley (O'Connor 46), Bruce, Smith, Wright, Lambe (Walters 80), Healy, Colback, Garvan (Upson 46), Quinn, Wickham. Subs not used: McLoughlin, Brown, Murray, Hyam.

Attendance: 4,184