Town defender Gareth McAuley put in a man of the match display as Northern Ireland drew 1-1 with Poland in Chorzów in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday evening. The former Blues skipper, again at right-back for his national side, was winning his 18th full cap.

McAuley’s side came close to gaining a famous victory, defending Kyle Lafferty’s goal until the 79th minute when Mariusz Lewandowski equalised for the home side, who had spent the second period camped inside the Northern Irish half. Northern Ireland, however, are still in with a chance of World Cup qualification.

Elsewhere, Tamás Priskin was left out of the Hungarian 18 that lost 2-1 at home to Sweden.

Domestically, former Town winger Martin Brittain suffered a serious leg break when playing for Gateshead in a Blue Square Premier game against Hayes and Yeading, leading indirectly to the match being abandonment.

The game, which was 75 minutes old and stood at 0-0, was held up for half an hour while the ex-Newcastle man received treatment and was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Hayes and Yeading manager Gary Haylock says it wasn't the lengthy injury break which caused the abandonment: "The referee made the decision to carry on the game and to be honest the Gateshead players refused to come out of the dressing room.

"They were understandably upset by their team-mate's injury but the game was not called off because of the serious injury, it was called off because the Gateshead players refused to come out of the dressing room.

"I would have a huge problem with doing this again because we're a part-time club. We've got players who are working, some players might not be able to make the game.

"To me there can be only one decision, that we're awarded the points, we win the game and move on."

Former Newcastle trainee Brittain made one sub appearance for the Town first team during the 2006/07 season, leaving the Blues after a year, having spent time on loan at Yeovil. Subsequently, he has played with Carlisle, Walsall and Kidderminster.

Photo: Action Images

RomeoZondervan added 23:00 - Sep 5 Hope Brittain will play again! All the best fella
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fraybentos added 23:03 - Sep 5 Well done Gareth, I think losing the captaincy will be a blessing in disguise, he will be a better player for it.
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Significant_Blue added 23:26 - Sep 5 Hopefully the idiot who sits near me will stop calling McAuley "Donkey" and making eee-aw sounds. Well done Gareth.
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RomeoZondervan added 23:40 - Sep 5 Significant_Blue I am afraid Ipswich seems to be over run with supporters like that at the moment. I would like to find out where they work and make donkey sounds at them if they make a mistake. MaAuley will come good again, man of the match against a good polish team. Sir Bobby would turn in his grave if he heard some of the rubbish that gets said at Portman Road.

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blueconscience added 23:49 - Sep 5 So we didnt need a new RB afterall, oh well
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Beanman added 00:39 - Sep 6 Just shows what he can do without most the w**nkers on here on is back!! If it wasn't for our so called fans we'd probably be in a better position. Call yourselves supporters?!! Then god damn sing your hearts out for the lads and stop jumping on every last little thing. You just make Town fans look pathetic!!
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pottyblue added 06:17 - Sep 6 well said beaman pr is like a funeral parlour it wasnt long ago we where the noisiest fans in the uk .the only people NOT putting the effort in is the fans ,in keano we trust
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bluecheese added 07:35 - Sep 6 i cant remember pr ever having the noisiest fans in the uk
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pottyblue added 08:01 - Sep 6 there was a report a couple of years ago saying because of the acoustics of pr the noise inside the ground makes pr one off the noisiest grounds in the country
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paddypowell added 08:39 - Sep 6 u must b talking about the pr tannoy system not the supporters
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nthstd added 09:06 - Sep 6 Let's get back on message. Gareth played a fantastic game at right back. He didn't use his long attacking throw, which we have never seen at Portman Road. Cracking work Gareth Look out for the flag next game at home "Our Wee Country" You certainly didn't come up the Lagan in a bubble.
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corshamblue added 12:08 - Sep 6 I've been calling for the Big G to play at RB. Gareth was released from the idiot boo boys and it showed. Great performance, and one he can reproduce for Ipswich. He seems to be over the injury back in May but he seems to need a few games to back to 100% - last night was a good indication he's back. Our best outfield player in the 2nd half of the season. Brilliant Stuff Gareth .. Well Done.

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Topps added 12:18 - Sep 6 Anyone else, like me, thinks the Hayes & Yeading manager is a bit of a nob cheese for his comments? I heard the break was one of the worst ever seen and yet this bloke Gary Horlock, thinks its a good time to point out the Gateshead players wouldn't play and his club should be awarded the points. Talk about self centred! What about the poor bloke who probably won't walk properly again, or the team mates who had to witness it, or his family who were dependent on him to bring home the dosh. Seriously, some people amaze me. What a t**t!

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Topps added 12:20 - Sep 6 By the way nthstd. What race is that you are running in your profile pic? Looks like you're far too comfortable... you need to put more effort in, if you are finishing that well ;-)
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Oxblue added 12:27 - Sep 6 Watched the game and McAuley was excellent well done Gareth. Hopefully Roy will have watched the highlight's and give him another chance. Come on the town the break will give us a kick start to the season!!
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corshamblue added 13:05 - Sep 6 Gareth is like all players, he wants to play every match. Right Back, Centre Back whatever. If given the choice I'm sure he'd opt to play in the Centre. We need players with experience of big games and for NI that was a HUGE game - and Gareth was the best player on the park last night - watch the highlights and it's obvious there's a great player there. Trouble is they'll be plenty of managers watching those and know Gareth is unsettled with a Loan Window about to open.. We've rejected a £1m bid, lets hope that's a good indication to RK's intentions. COYB

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UEFA81 added 17:31 - Sep 6 "McAuley and Northern Ireland gain draw in Poland." So what? How exciting! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
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CustardCream added 17:40 - Sep 6 UEFA81: You might not care how well McAuley played but most of us do.
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RomeoZondervan added 18:54 - Sep 6 It's that exciting Uefa81 still has to comment about it? Doh! And most Town fans do care about how our players get on when on International duty
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BlueGriff added 19:11 - Sep 6 if mcauley can recapture his form from the end of last season he could save us a fortune, dont think he's a captain though.
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This_girl_is_blue added 20:14 - Sep 6 I'm sure the support aspect must be a head ache for Clegg and Keano; Keano is used to big crowds making a hellof a noise...I wonder what he thinks of pr sometimes. Hopefully it will pick up once the lads get a few results together!
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danknott added 20:20 - Sep 6 well done Gareeeeewth.....awesome performance!! lets see it at PR......well done my old mucker!!!!!
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jas0999 added 21:36 - Sep 6 Although I agree there has been a lot of negativity surrounding McAuley and indeed many of the players, the purpose of this board is surely to state an opinion? McAuley has had some good games for the club, but also some very poor ones and his form this season has not been the best. However, there is no excuse for calling players names or should out at them during games. BUT people are entitled to state an opinion on this board. Mine is that McAuley is an abover average player, who certainly was not captain material. Still has a role to play at this club, although wouldn't be disappointed if he did leave.

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Gazelle added 22:42 - Sep 6
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tommyblue added 23:05 - Sep 6 jas0999 - think your spon on there mate
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