It has taken just four days and two matches. But by 10.30pm last night, the pre-season uncertainty gripping Shrewsbury Town fans over the shallowness of their squad had been swept aside by a genuine optimism and belief for the months that lie ahead.

And a galling penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Championship outfit Ipswich won’t dampen any of the early season enthusiasm.

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Indeed, Town fans will now be wondering just what Paul Simpson’s revamped squad can achieve this season.

The overriding sensation immediately after this thrill-a-minute encounter was disappointment, missed penalties from Jake Robinson and Graham Coughlan ending Town’s interest in the Carling Cup after a 3-3 draw.

But, in the cold light of day, Simpson and his side will reflect on the countless positives.

Not least that they pushed the next crop of hugely talented youngsters to come off the Ipswich conveyer belt to the brink.

The Tractor Boys may have made 10 changes from the team that were beaten by Coventry on Sunday, and included five teenagers in their line-up.

But Roy Keane sends a team out to lose less often than his former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson praises referees.

And one of the great on-field leaders of his generation would have left Shropshire fully aware his side had been stretched to the limits.

Topping the bill for the visitors was striker Connor Wickham, who delivered a masterclass in striking at the tender age of 16 before tiring in extra-time.

The England under-17 international scored twice, becoming the youngest ever Ipswich player to find the net in a competitive game, before slotting home a penalty in the shoot-out.

It was the type of display which suggests there is no ceiling to what the youngster can achieve.

“Connor did very well considering he was up front on his own against very experienced centre-halves, particularly (Graham) Coughlan who I thought was outstanding,” said Keane.

“I was tempted to take him off after 70 or 80 minutes just to keep an eye on him or we end up getting selfish ourselves.

“But he led the line very well now. He scored two and a penalty (in the shoot-out) and is getting his hat-trick ball signed. It’s good to see young players enjoying it.”

But if Wickham’s performance left fans of both teams drooling, there were many an inspirational individual display in blue-and-amber as the hosts maintained possession with a real fluency in a wide open game.

Shane Cansdell-Sherriff slotted in impressively to fill the midfield boots of the cup-tied Joss Labadie, with Jake Robinson and Nathan Elder showing further encouraging signs before a lively cameo from debutant Kris Bright.

And, even though they conceded three times, Town’s defence can be happy with the way they handled the sophisticated movement of higher graded players.

Not only was this an early contender for the Prostar Stadium’s match of the season – it also acted as a goal of the month competition wrapped up in one night as all six strikes came out of the top drawer.

It was to be Wickham who opened the scoring, displaying exceptional technique to turn on the edge of the box before curling a 15-yard effort around the helpless Chris Neal.

But Shrewsbury were to turn the game on its head in 11 first half minutes.

First Jake Robinson thundered home an edge-of-the-box drive from a Kevin McIntyre cross, before the revitalised Dave Hibbert took advantage of a poor defensive header from Tommy Smith with a stunning flick-up-and-volley in one flourishing movement from fully 25 yards which soared into the net.

By the time half-time arrived Alan Quinn had levelled for the visitors, bending a free-kick around the wall from the edge of the box after himself being brought down by Dean Holden.

But the drama wasn’t to end there.

Wickham again displayed his quick feet to slip past Langmead and coolly slot home to put the Tractor Boys back in front on the hour, before Cansdell-Sherriff produce an exquisite 20-yard volley to level the scores once again

Both sides had chances to win it in normal time, with Omer Riza going closest for the hosts, before the extra 30 minutes provided few clear opportunities.

It all ended on the lottery of penalties and, while Riza and Kevin McIntyre converted from the spot, there was despair for Robinson and Coughlan who saw their efforts saved and sail over the bar respectively.

Ipswich’s perfect four-from-four from the spot ensured it wasn’t to be Town’s night.

But more performances like this and their time will certainly come.

By James Garrison