Two goals in two first half minutes from Town’s Paul Anderson and Sheffield Wednesday’s Michail Antonio saw the Blues and Owls draw 1-1 at Hillsborough. Both sides also hit the woodwork, Cole Skuse for Town in the first half and sub Jermaine Johnson for Wednesday late on.

Boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged Town side for fourth successive game, despite surrendering a three-goal lead at Derby in midweek.

The Blues had the better of the opening spell but were unable to serious threaten until the 10th minute when Daryl Murphy, like his strike partner David McGoldrick a former Wednesday loanee, struck a shot which was blocked. The rebound fell to Cole Skuse but his strike deflected harmlessly through to Chris Kirkland in the Owls goal.

The home side went close to going in front a minute later when Jeremy Helan got away down the left and crossed low. Matty Fryatt failed to get a significant touch, but the ball fell to Atdhe Nuhiu behind him, however Dean Gerken was quickly off his line to block.

From the Owls corner Town went straight up the other end and scored. Ryan Tunnicliffe’s clearance found McGoldrick acres of space on the left. After taking the ball down, the Blues striker crossed perfectly for the unmarked Paul Anderson, who slammed in his second goal of the season.

Wednesday manager Dave Jones will have been tearing his hair out at the playground way in which his side had conceded.

But the Blues’ lead would last only two minutes. Helan crossed from the left, Nuhiu nodded back across goal while in acres of space and the similarly unmarked Michail Antonio powerfully headed home the equaliser with the game still only 14 minutes old.

Championship Player of the Month McGoldrick shot over from distance, then Murphy failed to spot Anderson in space inside the area.

On 27 McGoldrick almost played in Murphy with a clever pass on the turn, but Kirkland was off his line quickly to clear. Wednesday, however, had had the better of the second quarter of an hour, with Helan giving Chambers a busy afternoon down the Blues right, but without seriously threatening Gerken’s goal.

Town were within a whisker from going back in front in the 37th minute. Skuse lost Fryatt as Aaron Cresswell found him with a throw-in from the left. The former Bristol City man unleashed a 25-yard strike which crashed against the inside of Kirkland’s right post before flying across goal towards the corner flag.

Two minutes later, Cresswell was rather further away with a shot from a tight angle on the left from even further out, but it was the Blues who were having more of the ball and looking the more dangerous of the two sides.

Moments before the break, keeper Gerken prevented the Blues from going behind with a save from virtually point blank from Fryatt. The on-loan Hull City man was put through on goal behind the Town backline after the ball had flicked off the back of Christophe Berra’s head and seemed certain to score but Gerken spread himself and seemed to block his shot with his face.

The level scoreline at the break was a fair reflection of a relatively even half in which both sides had had their spells on top and chances.

Mick McCarthy will be unhappy to have conceded such a poor goal so soon after the Blues had gone in front, while his Owls opposite number David Jones is likely to have been launching similar enquiries regarding the Sunday morning nature of Town’s opener.

Murphy headed wide from a Cresswell corner as Town started the second half on the front foot. Wednesday’s first chance of the half was headed wide by Reda Johnson from an Antonio cross. Not long after the Owls’ skipper made way for one-time Blues trialist Jermaine Johnson.

As the game moved towards the hour mark Kirkland was forced into a rather panicky punch as Anderson chased down a long ball down the middle, then Murphy scuffed a strike so wide it went out for a throw.

A minute later, the Irishman went rather closer after skipping away from a defender on the left but Kirkland was equal to his shot.

Anderson wasn’t far away from his second goal of the game in the 66th minute when McGoldrick’s clever flick fed Murphy on the right, breaking into the area. The Irishman played the ball back to Anderson, whose low shot was well saved by Kirkland down to his left.

From the corner, McGoldrick headed over with Murphy behind him perhaps better placed to get more control over his attempt at goal.

McGoldrick’s 71st minute shot was too high with the Blues continuing to look the more threatening of the two teams, although it took a superb challenge from Tunnicliffe to dispossess Jermaine Johnson as he broke forward in the 73rd minute.

On 76 the Jamaican international almost put his side ahead with a superb 35-yard strike which beat Gerken but cannoned off the crossbar. Three minutes later, Smith was booked for a foul on the sub, who had made quite an impression since coming on.

Murphy made way for Frank Nouble in the 85th minute with the game looking likely to drift towards a draw. As it moved into its final scheduled minute Jermaine Johnson was booked for dissent.

In injury time Tyrone Mings took over from McGoldrick with the Blues settling for their second away point of the week.

A draw was probably a fair result with both teams having had chances in the second half, although none as good as the one Fryatt spurned just before the break, Jermaine Johnson going closest with his shot against the woodwork.

Town rarely played the fluent football that they did against Brighton last week or in the first half against Derby in a battling performance which was more reminiscent of last season’s away displays than earlier games this season.

The Blues’ current run stretches to one defeat in seven, while Wednesday are still without a victory this season, a fact reflected by the boos which rang around Hillsborough at the final whistle.

While Mick McCarthy will have been hugely disappointed not to have won at Derby on Tuesday having been three goals up at the break, the Blues boss won’t be too unhappy that his side has been unbeaten in back to back away games.

Sheffield Wednesday: Kirkland, Buxton, Reda Johnson (c) (J Johnson 57), Roger Johnson, Llera, McPhail, Coke (Semedo 43), Antonio, Helan, Fryatt (Palmer 75), Nuhiu. Unused: Dawson, Zayatte, McCabe.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson (Tabb 79), Hyam, Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Murphy (Nouble 85), McGoldrick (Mings 90). Unused: Loach, Hewitt, Edwards, Wordsworth. Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear). Att: 19,519.

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 20:42 - Oct 5 Largely agree with you @blueboy1981 On some of your points: Mick has no doubt improved our team organisation wise and we have improved from a year ago but lets face it things were about as low as we could go, so Mick did a reasonable job keeping us up but can't help feeling the defense is no where as tight as last season and essentially that was what I was looking for again this season but have been sadly disappointed. RB is an issue, Chambers has done a good job but lacks pace and feel Hewitt isn't quite up to the job yet and so to is GK, we won't get Henderson for the moment as he has gone on loan at Bournemouth. Yes the Midfield does need a 'shake up' and Wordsworth/Tabb perhaps deserve a reintroduction just something to get a bit more creativity going. Agree that our away results have been to shabby and have dropped somewhere between 5-7 points which could be crucial come the end of the season, today was one of the games I expected us to win particularly after Tuesday. Interesting to hear about the form of Taylor already...he must have become 'fit' again :) About 1/4 the way through the season and progress report, satisfactory but need to become consistent defensively again if we are to push higher up the table than the current mid table position - so that mean new faces arriving.

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Bergholtblue added 21:16 - Oct 5 MM came in when we were in dire straits (no not the band). We stayed up by not being beaten. We were not being beaten because Smith and Chambers were superb together. Now they have been split up and we concede goals to teams destined for relegation. Sorry Wednesday fans, but you were poor!. Worse even than Millwall at PR. Get Chambers and Smith back together, play a right back in the right back position and all will be rosy in the garden again! Simples!

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Hegansheroes added 21:30 - Oct 5 bohslegend-what's a nob???-Did you mean knob, it takes one to know one. Yes I'm going to moan about MM & his tactics or total lack of. We hear him going on about lucky goals against us but what about the lucky ones we got. Goals only come about from set plays or the long ball. No tactics what so ever. So Taylor is unfit, blueboy1981 hits the nail on the head. Taylor is a misfit in MM's eyes it seems, as is Wordsworth. Why play Chambers out of position - of course, so his old mate Berra can play and HTF does Nouble even get in the squad. At least Gerk didn't make a hash of things, is he any better than ALB. I'll be going to see Ipswich for the next home match, Ipswich Wanderes that is, more chance of seeing some decent football played.

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TractorCam added 21:40 - Oct 5 A point away at Hillsborough isn't too bad, we just seem to play as if we're happy to take the point, rather than go that extra mile to challenge to get 3
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MickMillsTash added 21:49 - Oct 5 The second half was 45 minutes of the least entertaining football I have witnessed, but better than the crud served up by Jewell a year ago at Barnsley. If I saw Paul Jewell in the street I still think I would want to throw a brick at him after that display. I thought Sheff Wed were there for the taking today and had we not given them the quick equaliser I think we would have won comfortably, we were on top, looking dangerous and they were flat. The goal of course lifted them. The second half was just a non footballing story of headers, misplaced passes and boredom- both teams. Our defence is not perfect, the midfield lacks pace and creativity but there is a lot more hope than 12 months ago and we are not too far off Really does feel like 4 points dropped this week - and although disappointing progress is clearly being made

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troyse added 22:08 - Oct 5 all can u not slate luke hyam has a hard worker and should play v burnley not happy his been made a scapegoat we didn't lose for gods sake
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blueboy1981 added 22:33 - Oct 5 ....... 'we didn't lose for gods sake' - I ask you ? Sums it up for some I guess.
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chevvymalc added 22:44 - Oct 5 Well stated Bohslegend just cast your mind back you moaners to the Keane and Jewel nightmare chapters at least we are playing watchable football and getting results and points.(Remember all those late goals!!!)
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chevvymalc added 22:52 - Oct 5 Hegansheroes sounds as if you want to live in a perfect world do,nt forget there are always 2 teams playing out there nobodys going to give anyone a easy ride Thats football Mate!!!
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TractorBoy666 added 23:55 - Oct 5 Hegansheroes - totally agree with what you just said, the conceding of goals has been a lot more since Berra was given the nod at centre back. Hewitt was improving, just needed a bit of time! Also he drops Loach after a couple of mistakes, and when Gerken does the same, that's okay.
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Notts_tractor added 23:56 - Oct 5 MickmillsTash - my thoughts exactly. I have rarely seen such a dull 45 minutes as that second half today. The gane was crying out to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck. If we had a bit of pace in the team it would help. We lacked width as well I thought - it doesn't help having Chambers at RB - he has no inclination to get forward. I don't really understand why Hewitt was dropped just to accomodate Berra - who doesn't convince me at all. Chambers and Smith had a great understanding last season and I don't know why MM has broken this up. If MM doesn't think Hewitt is up to it, go back in for Stearman. The Cresswell- Chambers-Smith - Stearman combination was as good a Town back four as I can remember.

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ian_marshall added 23:58 - Oct 5 Progress is being made at ipswich town. We are winning at home, and picking up points away. I'm happy
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Morgan added 10:34 - Oct 6 Would have been good to have won one of the two but a point in each isn't a bad return. We are not an easy team to beat. We are making progress still under Mick, we are solid at home and look like we could beat anyone in this league but away I don't have the same confidence. still need to be more ruthless. International breaks. :-/
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JWM added 10:53 - Oct 6 Hegans please fee, free to go and watch Wanderers because as far as I can tell you aren't an Ipswich Town supporter judging by all the negative drivel you spout on this forum! I wish ROI would come and make a bid for you!
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blue_moon09 added 11:11 - Oct 6 The armchair part time moaner fans are out in force again, stop moaning start going to games and support the team. a point is a point I was at the game and a draw was a fair result
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Lord_Mac added 12:04 - Oct 6 I thought the point at Wednesday was far worse that the point at Derby. At least there was plenty of skill and determination on show from both sides at Derby and we were undone by a team playing good football. At Hillsborough, the quality of football was awful and we seemed content to match the opposition - who are in serious danger of the drop - and take a point, when we should have been aiming to tear them to pieces. As a result, we'll be mid-table again. The right-side axis of Chambers and Anderson is a weakness. It's a tough problem and one of three centre-backs is going to have to miss out to put it right, none of whom are easy to drop. We could do with a suspension to get Hewitt back into the team!

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Count_Arthur added 15:38 - Oct 6 Agree with georgelamming why doesn't Wordsworth get a game!? He's a creative midfielder which is surely what we need on the pitch? Drop Hyam for a bit and put Woody on!
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itfc12345 added 22:04 - Oct 6 For god sake people Some of you know nothing about football. 1. Stearman is CB like chambers 2. Chambers has not stuggled at rb, his positional sense is good not greatest goig forward but rb's are defenders not extra wingers 3. Berra has defensive abilty i could only dream off, far better than smith or chambers. Fact. Watch him he has so much talent. Certainly too good to be on the bench in the championship. 4. Keeper is an issue and has cost us goals that make the defence look weaker than it is 5. Far most importantly this team was built on FREE TRANSFERS NO MONEY you and we're CHALLENGING play offs for the first time since magilton 6. Mick has turned this team around and we are albei slowly going forward All of the above are facts and anyone who knows anything about football and defending will agree with me

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itfc12345 added 22:24 - Oct 6 And if anyone does not agree with my comments please feel free to explain how you think they are wrong. Seriously would appreciate to understand what goes through some of your minds
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itfc12345 added 22:26 - Oct 6 Berra doesn't convince you????!!! Then you clearly wouldn't no what a good defender was if ibrahima sonko d**k slapped you in the forehead ( not that he was a good defender)
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thebeat added 22:56 - Oct 6 itfc12345 Berra might be a good defender but as Mick Mills always says partnerships are an important factor in building a team. Chambers and Smith are a great partnership who just naturally click together. Smith and Berra are not a great pairing hence why we are conceding too many goals at the moment. These days full backs are expected to get forward and that doesnt come natural to Chambers. I know Stearmans not a natural full back either but you cant deny the defence was far better when he was in it with Chambers and Smith together.

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itfc12345 added 07:29 - Oct 7 Berra and smith have been playing well though Unlike smith Berra has a right foot Last year we played a lot more reserved not get beat football with players like n daw and edwards giving defence extra protection Chambo has already scored once and hit the bar so cant being doing that bad going forward Having a wuality keeper such would significantly help the goals as i think at least 5 goals have come from keepers mistakes, 3 from loach and 2 from gerks I think instead of looking at our full backs to create we need to look at why theres little creativity in midfield Look at how many goals have come from defence this year ridiculously good stat to be fair to them You say were conceeding too many goals because of the defence yet our rb dont get forward enough, playing someone on the right who's gonna go bombing forward would leave the defence even more vulnerable Having a defensive rb allows cressy to get forward a lot more who can deliver a better ball into the box than anyone in the team as well

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halsteadblue added 17:12 - Oct 7 Couldn't agree more Bergholtblue .....Coyb
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