Tommy Smith and Paul Green were on target as Town ended their season with a 2-1 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday. Smith stabbed home from close range in the 37th minute, Kieran Lee equalised for the visitors 10 minutes after the break but Green nodded in Stephen Hunt’s freekick in the 67th minute.

Anthony Wordsworth and Frank Nouble came into an otherwise unchanged starting XI for Hunt, who dropped to the bench, and the injured Cole Skuse.

Skipper Luke Chambers, Christophe Berra and Smith lined-up in a three-man central defence with Aaron Cresswell as the left wing-back and Frazer Richardson on the right.

Jonny Williams was between central midfielders Wordsworth and Green and strikers Nouble and Daryl Murphy. Former Blues academy scholar Caolan Lavery started for the Owls.

Wednesday had the better of a rather understated for 10 minutes but two blocked Michail Antonio shots were the nearest they came to testing Town keeper Dean Gerken. On 12 on-loan Chelsea man Sam Hutchinson headed wide from a corner.

Town began to get more into it and on 17 Green fed Williams inside the area, but the Wales international was solidly challenged by Glenn Loovens as he looked to shoot. Moments later, Atdhe Nuhiu nodded wide for the visitors from a cross from the right.

After cutting out a Wednesday break just outside his own area, Green broke forward before playing Nouble into space on the left. The striker took the ball into the Owls box but Hutchinson got back to tackle as he tried to cut inside.

Lavery, who turned down the offer of a pro contract with the Blues after his scholarship, saw an effort blocked, as did Antonio.

Richardson had a decent chance in the 35th minute after Williams had taken a freekick quickly to Nouble on the left. The striker over-hit his cross but the ball fell perfectly for Richardson, however, the on-loan Boro man screwed his volley well wide. Soon after Owls defender Oguchi Onyewu was booked for a foul on Williams.

On 37 Williams started the move which led to Town taking the lead. The on-loan Palace man crossed from the left, the ball falling to Smith, who stabbed it back to Wordsworth, who left it for Green on the edge of the box.

The Leeds loanee found Murphy on the right of the box and the Irish striker curled a shot which Owls keeper Damian Martinez could only palm out to Smith, who stabbed home his sixth goal of the season.

Hutchinson just got in ahead of Nouble to nod back to Martinez as the Blues frontman chased a ball down the middle on 38 as Town went looking for a second.

Within a minute Murphy was within a whisker of adding his 14th goal of the season when he cut in from the right and hit a shot which beat Martinez but struck the post.

In the final scheduled minute of the half Gerken did well to get across to his right to save Lavery’s shot from the edge of the box, then from the resultant corner made an even better stop. Oguchi Onyewu headed down Chris Maguire’s corner from the left and Gerken reacted superbly to block Antonio’s goalbound effort from close range.

The referee’s whistle followed soon afterwards to end a half which had taken a while to get going with neither keeper having to make a save until Martinez’s stop from Murphy which led to Smith’s goal.

Town had the better of it from there with Murphy unfortunate not to add to his total for the season, while only an excellent late save from Gerken prevented the visitors from getting back on terms.

Six minutes after the restart Murphy went close again, diverting Cresswell’s powerful left-wing cross over at the near post.

Nuhiu headed over from a right-wing cross on 53, but two minutes later the Owls were on terms. Joe Mattock crossed low from the left, Lavery miskicked his shot on the edge of the six-yard box, but the ball fell kindly for Lee, who hit a low effort across Gerken and into the corner of the net for his first ever Wednesday goal.

Gerken saved Maguire’s low strike with Wednesday having been on top since their goal. On the hour, Smith was booked for a foul on Giles Coke.

Town switched Smith and Williams — warmly applauded off in the final game of his loan spell from Crystal Palace — for Paul Taylor and Stephen Hunt in the 63rd minute. The Blues were by now in a flat back four with a three-man attack.

A minute later, sub Hunt, who is out of contract and is yet to be offered new terms, created the Blues’ second goal.

The winger whipped over a freekick from the right and an unmarked Green — also yet to be offered a deal for next year with his contract at parent club Leeds up this summer — nodded home the second goal of his loan spell, the previous one having come in Town’s last home game.

Maguire shot wide from distance for the Owls, then Martinez punched away another Hunt freekick from the right which was just too far in front of Murphy. Wednesday subsequently broke but Antonio scuffed weakly wide.

Owls sub Maghoma shot low from 20 yards in the 83rd minute, then moments later Nouble was harshly penalised when he caught Onyewu in possession midway inside the Wednesday half.

On 86, much to the delight of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand who had been chanting his name to the tune of a well-known rugby anthem for much of the half, young striker Jack Marriott, recently returned from his successful loan spell at Woking, replaced Nouble.

Neither side threatened in the closing stages and the final whistle confirmed three points for Town on the final day of the season.

While the game lacked the intensity of a match with something riding on it, after a slow start it had its moments and Town deserved the win.

The victory and results elsewhere see the Blues end the campaign in ninth on 68 points, four points from sixth. A late winner grabbed the final play-off place for Brighton at Nottingham Forest, while Birmingham netted a last-gasp equaliser to draw 2-2 at Bolton and climb above Doncaster, who took the final relegation spot.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith (Taylor 63), Berra, Cresswell, Richardson, Green, Wordsworth, Nouble (Marriott 86), Williams (Hunt 63), Murphy. Unused: Loach, Mings, Tabb, Henshall.

Sheffield Wednesday: Martinez, Mattock (Helan 75), Onyewu, Loovens, Lee, Coke (Maghoma 80), Hutchinson, Maguire, Lavery, Antonio, Nuhiu (Best 61). Unused: Kirkland, McCabe, Llera, Stobbs. Referee: Carl Boyeson (East Yorkshire). Att: 20,862 (Wednesday: 2,080).

Photo: Action Images

Keaneish added 14:22 - May 3 Thought Marriott looked good warming up today.
18

Bluetone added 14:29 - May 3 A nothing win at the expense of a chance to see the future young players of the club given a chance to show what they could do.
12

Gogs added 14:29 - May 3 good to finish the season with a win. Let's hope we can push on again next season
6

superkevinwilson added 14:29 - May 3 Why bring Taylor on before Marriott when Taylor is on the transfer list
27

Jon_456 added 14:31 - May 3 Good result but seriously disappointed Marriott didnt get more time. Bringing on Taylor over Marriott, cant understand that one at all.
22

coyb99 added 14:41 - May 3 Thank you jonny williams for your fantastic loan spell, and good luck in the future. Super player with great potential, we were very lucky to have him for the remainder of the season.
27

BillBlue added 14:50 - May 3 Nouble in preference to Marriott? Sorry in my book the guy is crazy.
14

runaround added 14:57 - May 3 We end the season with a win but it was a largely uninspiring match. We showed the odd glimpse of good attacking play but it was a dull end of season affair. Nice to see Marriott come on & Green played well. Highlight of the day was Chambers little boy playing on the pitch during the walk around at the end which made everyone smile. I feel we are at a crossroads now in the McCarthy reign at Portman Road, last season he kept us up, this season we consolidated & had a flirt with the play offs. Can we now move onto the next level next season?

8

TractorBeezer added 15:03 - May 3 Switched on computer to listen to the game....didn't realise that it was an early kick-off! Anyway good to see that wegot a win. We have a decent core now. Let's get McGoldrick fit and try to bring back Jonny Williams....surely we'll at least make the play-offs next season. .Very surprised and disappointed that Jack didn't get a proper run out. Also, how did Leicester with 102 points manage to lose 4-1 at home to Brighton recently?

3

tractorboy81 added 15:11 - May 3 Great to end the season with a win and despite not making the play offs I think it has been hugely successfull, especially considering where we where 18 months ago! Just disappointed marriet didn't get more game time, would rather have seen him than hunt and taylor who are most likely going in the summer.
5

Reece87 added 15:12 - May 3 Great to finish the season of with a win although it wasn't really the most entertaining game. Was a great atmosphere towards the end even though it was to try and shut the Wednesday fans up. My only problem was young Marriott not giving a decent run around as there wasn't anything to play for, but certainly have great hopes for him in the near future. An improved season although fustrating at times but were rebuilding a good team slowly but surely. Play the transfer window right this summer and who knows.. Maybe next season.

4

Michael11 added 15:15 - May 3 Nice to end the season with a win. Hopefully with a few additions in the right positions we can go one further next year. Have to say I was a bit jealous seeing them Brighton fans going mental. Hopefully we'll have our time next year!
2

NoCanariesAllowed added 15:27 - May 3 I could grumble that Marriott wasn't given more time, or that past negativity had left us not playing for something more. But I'm not gonna do that. As far as I'm concerned, the brief this season was to make a step forward, away from the mistakes of the last four dark years since Jim Magilton's era came to an end. Top half was the aim. Top ten was a good realistic objective. Top six was a dream, but this was about taking it one step at a time. Not only did we finish in the top half, and the top ten, but we finished 9th with 68pts. To my recollection, we finished 9th with 66pts under Jim, and that was with money. I think that's confirmation that we've drawn a line under the last four years and finally gotten ourselves back to where we were before Jim left. That might not sound like progress to some, but without the resources we had in those days, I think we're closer than we've been for a long time.

19

bluelady added 15:35 - May 3 Was good to end with a win, I think McCarthy was onto a loser place the youngsters and get beat people moan, don't and play for a win they moan. Personally ending 9 is a great result BUT only if it's a bundling block to next year. Do absolutely agree why bring on Taylor ahead of Marriott and also how did frank Nouble stay on the pitch so long? After showing vast improvement in his last fee turn outs today he was back to the old Frank (or as thy guy behind me calls him plank!) and was woeful.... Thought Green looked great and led that midfield and Wordsworth although not seeing the world alight broke the play up really well. I do think with Mcgoldrick we would have got the extra points required however I really don't think on reflexion we deserve a play off place! Let's hope for a title winning bid next season onwards and upward!

7

oscarwhiting added 15:35 - May 3 nocanariesallowed. spot on. I think more people should remember that. We have a good squad which can be built on to make a play off making side. This is a very important signing. exiting times to be a blue.
2

bring_back_Wickham added 15:41 - May 3 Mabye we should sign Green! Other than Anderson he is our top scoring midfielder!
2

EssexTractor added 15:48 - May 3 As has already been said an uninspiring match. But not a surprise as that in my view is the adjective most appropriate to this season. Uninspiring. Granted we have finished nearer to the top six than the bottom six and there has been reliable performances throughout the season from Berra, Smith, Murphy and of course until he was injured MCGoldrick. As a supporter since 1958, a North Stander until 1991 and a seated season ticker holder since then, I have witnessed the highs and the lows (and the mediocrity) over those 56 years. I thought long and hard about renewing my season ticket and have done so because once a Blue always a Blue, and with a "glass half full" attitude I am giving MM the benefit of my doubt that it is " work in progress". But there is a close season need , shared I am sure by many fellow supporters, for the continuing" work in progress" to be positively demonstrated by the clear out of deadwood, the clear out of loan players and the acquisition of players, be it paid or free, of full time committed replacements. And most notably MM, with all your experience, knowledge and contacts please please find an inspiring midfielder with a brain. Journeymen, and we have an abundance of those , might do a "shift" but they will not propel us further than this seasons ending Last season Burnley were nowhere men with poor attendances But somehow Sean Dyche without multi millions contrived to turn them into a promotion team So Mr McCarthy what's stopping you from doing the same in 2014-15.

9

bluelady added 15:51 - May 3 And this time minus the auto correction errors!!!!!! Was good to end with a win, I think McCarthy was onto a loser play the youngsters and get beaten people moan, don't and play for a win they moan. Personally ending 9this a great result BUT only if it's a building block to next year. Do absolutely agree why bring on Taylor ahead of Marriott and also how did frank Nouble stay on the pitch so long? After showing vast improvement in his last few turn outs today he was back to the old Frank (or as the guy behind me calls him plank!) and was woeful.... Thought Green looked great and led the midfield and Wordsworth although not setting the world alight broke the play up really well. I do think with Mcgoldrick we would have got the extra points required however I really don't think on reflexion we deserve a play off place! Let's hope for a title winning bid next season onwards and upward!

4

TractorCam added 15:52 - May 3 Why did Mick ignore Taylor all season and then decide to bring him on today after revealing he's getting rid of him? Silly really, Henshall would of been a better choice. And Marriott definitely should of been on earlier. Then again i was hardly watching the match, was too entertained by Tango the Sheffield Wednesday fan
17

Lightningboy added 15:56 - May 3 Highest finish since Magilton was let go 5 years ago. What have we achieved in that time?...not a lot apart from completely forgetting how to play attractive attacking football. Can't believe he gave Taylor 30 minutes today and Marriott only 4. Mick is not the answer..he's too much of a managerial dinosaur.
-1

Bluetone added 16:13 - May 3 @ lightningboy quite agree McCarthy is like the mercenary force you'd recruit to rescue a situation - he is not the visionary you would recruit to rebuild the future.
6

kuyski added 16:18 - May 3 Winning ending,was good forever!
2

carsey added 16:20 - May 3 What a load of rubbish this afternoon. Nothing to play for yet still he plays boring hoof ball and selects players who have no chance of being here next season. I know we didn't have to battle relegation this season but it would have been nice to see the team try to play controlled football
12

AbujaBlue added 16:28 - May 3 The team wins and, as always seems to be the case with most of the first 5-10 posters in the comments section it is just moan, moan, MOAN. Will be nice to have a few months of quiet from this incessant whining so MM and TC can get on with what they know how to do best - manage and develop teams, unlike a lot on here.
-3

TimmyH added 16:39 - May 3 Good to finish the season with a win although it did not count for much other than moving us up the table a place. For the life of me I cannot understand Mick's thinking bringing on Taylor as a sub with 30 minutes to go! what was the point now he's transfer listed? Good to see Tommy score again and has basically put most of the midfield and some our attackers to shame in front of goal. Green's goal I fancy will have probably made Mick's mind up to get him a contract with us next season. A reasonable season but too many points dropped against struggling opposition, will the entertainment improve next season, I doubt it.

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