Connor Wickham scored his first goal for Town at senior level but Blues began the pre-season campaign with a defeat.

The 16-year-old, called into the squad after a calf injury ruled out Kevin Lisbie from making the trip, blasted in a penalty early in the second-half following a foul on Liam Trotter.

Harps led at the break after a header from Shaun Houston midway through the first-half despite Blues creating a number of opportunities. Jon Walters had a third minute shot blocked after good work by David Norris, Jon Stead heading wide after Norris and Walters had linked up then Stead failing to hit the target when unmarked following a David Wright cross.

Harps lost Christie Conaghan who felt the full force of a Damien Delaney challenge, the defender making his first appearance for Blues following his move from QPR.

Town boss Roy Keane introduced all six substitutes at half-time, with Wickham making an immediate impact, scoring from the spot on 56 minutes after Trotter had been brought down by Ciaran Gallagher in the home goal.

The 17-year-old 'keeper made amends soon after with a smart save from Wickham, then tipped a 25 yarder from Owen Garvan onto the bar.

Harps got the winner on 68 minutes, Alex Bruce deflecting a shot from Mark Brolly over Shane Supple and into the net.

Bruce went close to levelling the scores with a long range strike that the impressive Gallagher pushed around the post, the 'keeper then denying Wickham from close range as the Donegal side held on.

A small Town following boosted by members of Blues' Northern Ireland Supporters' Club swelled the crowd to 2000 in the first of three friendlies the Club will play in the Republic of Ireland this month.

Town: R.Wright (Supple 46), D.Wright (Bruce 46), McAuley (Balkestein 46), Smith, Delaney, Trotter, Norris, Garvan, Haynes (Shumulikoski 46), Stead (Wickham 46), Walters (Quinn 46).