Ben Marshall netted an injury time freekick as 10-man Blackburn grabbed a 1-1 draw against Town at Portman Road. David McGoldrick curled home a freekick in the 65th minute after Matt Kilgallon had been dismissed having picked up two yellow cards and the Blues looked well on their way to their fourth successive home win until Marshall’s late sucker punch.

Skipper Luke Chambers, who signed a new contract on Friday, was a surprise absentee due to illness, with Christophe Berra taking over as skipper and Tommy Smith returning to the centre of the defence, unusually on the right of the pairing.

Daryl Murphy (achilles), Luke Hyam (hip flexor) and Teddy Bishop (ill) also missed out but Jonny Williams was OK to start despite suffering an ankle problem while away with Wales.

Stephen Hunt came into the side for the first time this season as part of a front three with David McGoldrick and Conor Sammon, while Williams was on the left of the midfield trio alongside Cole Skuse and Kevin Bru.

Former Blue Jordan Rhodes skippered the visitors, while former Town loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe was on the bench.

Aside from Dean Gerken clearing ahead of Rhodes on the edge of his area, neither keeper was tested in the opening 10 minutes. On 11 Lee Williamson saw a shot deflect wide off McGoldrick after a long throw had deflected out to him on the edge of the area.

On 13 a deft McGoldrick flick sent Hunt away on the left but the Irishman’s cross was behind Sammon. Bru won possession back and exchanged passes with McGoldrick but the Mauritian international’s cross was easy for Rovers keeper Jason Steele.

The Blues were starting to gain control of the game and in the 17th minute McGoldrick played in Mings on the left and September’s Championship Player of the Month sent over a superb cross to Jonny Parr deep on the right but the Norwegian screwed his volley high and well wide.

Rudy Gestede headed wide from a Craig Conway cross in the 24th minute as the visitors began to threaten.

Three minutes later, the Lancastrians were close to a goal when keeper Steele’s freekick was flicked on to Tom Cairney by Gestede. The former Hull man’s cross found Rhodes, but his effort was kept out by a combination of Gerken and Parr, who got in one another’s way, the ball somehow avoiding Shane Duffy at the far post and away to safety.

Williams touched a freekick short to McGoldrick on the left in the 33rd minute after Bru had been fouled, but the striker’s shot was held by Steele under pressure from stand-in skipper Berra.

Gestede threatened again on 36, twisting and turning before hitting a low shot which Gerken did very well to save down to his right.

The action quickly moved to the other end and McGoldrick forced Steele to punch into the air and wide with a curling left-foot strike from 25 yards. From the resultant corner Smith headed into the Rovers keeper’s arms.

The 0-0 scoreline at the break was a fair reflection of the first half overall. After a quiet start the Blues had begun to get on top but the visitors had come back into it again and had had the better chances.

McGoldrick was only able to find Steele’s hands with a low cross from the right having been sent away by Skuse shortly after the restart with Hunt making a lung-bursting run into the area.

There was controversy in the 51st minute when Skuse flicked the ball into Sammon’s path and the striker broke forwards before being tripped very deliberately by Kilgallon a couple of yards outside the penalty area.

The Town crowd called for a red card but after consulting with his linesman referee James Adcock showed only a yellow, much the frustration of home supporters. However, Sammon still had a lot to do and it would probably have been harsh for the officials to have deemed it an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

McGoldrick curled the freekick only just wide with Hunt not far away from adding a final touch. Moments later, McGoldrick fed Sammon in the area but his shot from a tight angle on the right deflected over.

The Blues had been very much on top since the break but right on the hour Cairney got away down the Town left but Smith got in a toe to divert his low cross behind.

The red card the Blues fans had been calling for earlier in the half finally came in the 64th minute. McGoldrick played in Sammon, who managed to get goal side of Kilgallon, the defender’s challenge bringing the striker down as he bore down on the edge of the box, although with Blackburn claiming that the Town striker was the one committing the offence.

Referee Adcock showed Kilgallon his second yellow card - after having shown the red - and the former Leeds man was on his way.

McGoldrick was handed the ball for the freekick 20 yards out towards the left of centre and made no mistake, curling a superb strike to Steele’s right and into the corner of the net before celebrating his fourth goal of the season in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

Hunt was close to making it 2-0 on 67, the Irishman heading Parr’s right-wing cross goalwards but Duffy blocking on the line. Hunt’s subsequent effort was charged away.

The Blues continued to dominate, as they had from the start of the second half, with a couple of dangerous crosses from the right deflecting only just past the far post.

Former Blue Rhodes’s afternoon ended when he was replaced by Adam Henley in the 75th minute. Four minutes later, Williams made way to applause from the home fans and Jay Tabb took over for the remaining minutes.

McGoldrick was inches from making it 2-0 in the 81st minute when found by Bru’s delightful chip from the right. The Blues frontman struck it on the half volley and his powerful shot cannoned off the post and away.

The Town frontman saw another effort deflect wide a minute later, then from Hunt’s right-sided corner Smith nodded over.

Ex-Blues loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe was introduced by Blackburn on 83, then as the game moved into its final five minutes Paul Anderson replaced the again impressive Bru, who received a warm ovation as he left the field.

Sub Anderson played McGoldrick in on goal in the 89th minute but his shot was under-hit and Steele saved down to his left. The striker will have been tiring but will feel he should have done better.

There had only been one side in it in the second half but in injury time - as was the case at Forest a fortnight ago - the visitors levelled. Berra was penalised for fouling Duffy and Marshall curled a freekick to Gerken’s left and into the net.

Town went looking for a winner in the remaining moments and had what looked a fairly decent shout for a penalty when McGoldrick was bundled over as he sought to get onto Sammon’s flick. But despite protests referee Adcock was unmoved and soon after the official blew his whistle.

The scoreline was very harsh on the Blues who would have been well worth a win having dominated the second half even before Rovers were reduced to 10 men.

However, Town had had more than enough opportunities to increase their lead before Rovers’ late sucker punch but failed to take them with McGoldrick unfortunate with his strike against the post.

Nevertheless, the draw extends Town’s unbeaten run eight games - four wins and four draws - and they remain sixth in the table.

Town: Gerken, Parr, Mings, Smith, Berra (c), Skuse, Bru (Anderson 85), Hunt (Ambrose 90), Williams (Tabb 79), McGoldrick, Sammon. Unused: Bialkowski, Anderson, Bajner, Tabb, Henshall, Clarke.

Blackburn: Steele, Marshall, Duffy, Kilgallon, Olsson, Cairney (Tunnicliffe 83), Evans, Williamson, Conway (Baptiste 68), Gestede, Rhodes (c) (Henley 75). Unused: Eastwood, Taylor, Dunn, Varney. Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire). Att: 16,972 (Blackburn: 379).

Photo: Action Images

hancockingoal added 18:29 - Oct 18 2 points lost today and in my view down to Mick, for once he got his team his team selection and substitutes wrong! Why was Hunt chosen over Tabb? Why when we were well on top did he bring on Tabb (yes I know I have contradicted myself but we were by then well on top against 10 men) surely a more attacking player would have been a better option, did we really need a safety first option? On the plus side, Bru was excellent covered every blade of grass and fully deserved his ovation when he came off.

1

OldClactonBlue added 18:29 - Oct 18 Too negative. That's 4 points thrown away! Stop worrying about the opposition and concentrate on winning the game at a canter.
5

nunny97 added 18:45 - Oct 18 At the end of the day it was just bad luck really, chances cleared off the line etc, then the free kick it's just football, you're going to get bad luck, look at Norwich, they'll be gutted they hit the bar from a penalty, wolves conceded in the 87th minute for not the first time this season, onto Cardiff where we need a win ideally!
-1

StowTractorBoy added 18:48 - Oct 18 Sorry Mick McCarthy but your substitutions cost us dearly today. Yes we should have been out of site but to break up the rhythm on the team when we were comfortable is baffling. I thought Bru was excellent and was clearly disappointed when taken off as were most around me. The substitutions are not the sole reason we threw away 2 more points as we should have wrapped the points up against a very poor Blackburn side, way before the equaliser. Feels like a defeat as it did against Forest but today is harder to swallow as Blackburn threatened little but with ITFC we just know what can happen.

6

Orraman added 19:05 - Oct 18 Yet again it seems that if we are leading at the 80 min mark the plan is to stop playing and just defend the lead. How many times since MM arrived have we thrown away leads in the last 10 mins through this ultra negative approach. We were holding the lead comfortably when the positive Williams and Bru were taken off, the rhythm was upset, the balance was lost and another two points disappear. I know MM has done a wonderful job but this negativity is costing us. I would much rather the opposition scored from a breakaway while we were trying to increase our lead than this continual sitting back and inviting them to come to us.

4

jalapenosteve added 19:36 - Oct 18 I am LIVID that Stephen Hunt started. I am LIVID that Stephen HUnt was not pulled off at half time, due to him giving away possession every time he touched the ball in the first half I am LIVID that Stephen Hunt was Still on the pitch when yet again he lost possession in the 92nd minute. Totally crass that a 100% fit Tabb didn't replace him. Oh yes of course I am also LIVID that, yet again, we fail to see a game out comfortably. Totally sick, nowwhere near good enough.

-4

jas0999 added 19:43 - Oct 18 Disappointing. One up at home against a very poor side with ten men ... The only acceptable outcome is three points to us. Therefore a draw is a very poor result. Two games running we have now lost four points by conceding late goals. It could and probably will prove costly. On another note I have said for months we are lacking numbers at the back and options up front. Today that was evident. With Chambers out, we literally had no senior defensive cover. Up front, although Sammon did okay, we need more than okay. I wouldn't bet on Sammon scoring an open goal from a yard out. The alternative is Bajner ... I think if we are going to consistently push for top six we firstly have to stop conceding last minute goals and secondly need better options up front (if Murphy or McGoldrick not fit) and adequate cover at the back. Thank goodness Berra or Mings didn't get booked last time out. On a positive, it's eight unbeaten, but away draws seem less impressive with only a point at home.

7

ShropshireBluenago09 added 19:54 - Oct 18 Another very good performance. We are actually passing the ball, keeping the ball and creating enough chances to win 2 games. All played well and the whole team and staff should be proud that we are in the top 6 - and only 4 points off top spot. As someone on the chatroom stated; those two late goals conceded, v Forest and Blackburn aside, we would be sitting at the top of the league! Who would have predicted that after the Norwich game? Pip - im used to your negativity now and its getting very tedious - go back to watching TOWIE and playing with your extensions.

-4

jonju11 added 20:09 - Oct 18 Why was it necessary to take off all 3 midfielders which completely upset the balance of the side. Equally, how many more times are we going to get caught with the "sucker punch" late goal. Why oh why can't we adopt a policy of placing a man on the opposite side of the keeper to give added protection? So one sided to throw away 4 points in 2 games!
4

MrDiddle added 20:23 - Oct 18 My god theres some moaning people on here. Anyone would think we lost 6 - 0, and havent got a hope for the season!
-6

suffolkpunch1978 added 20:29 - Oct 18 My two cents in one, GUTTED
0

Lord_Mac added 20:31 - Oct 18 Is it really worth "resting" players for Tuesday when they are playing well? What's the difference between 80 minutes and 90 minutes? The only one who should have been substituted was Hunt - and much earlier - and then the foul which led to their goal would never have happened.
4

josephgarrett added 21:01 - Oct 18 thiss was the best game evver! i am playing minecraft now byyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeee
-4

josephgarrett added 21:01 - Oct 18 thiss was the best game evver! i am playing minecraft now byyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeee
0

josephgarrett added 21:05 - Oct 18 gg
0

Elizabeth added 21:06 - Oct 18 1-0 is always precarious.... Team must learn how to see a game out. We're still in a great position .. Next two games will be difficult but hopefully team spirit remains to be good. Really hope Chambers is well enough to play on Tuesday .
6

prebbs007 added 21:40 - Oct 18 Jalapenosteve .... Spot on!!! Hunt was a total liability for 90 mins. Very poor selection from MM. Very poor substitutions!!! Yes we have a game Tuesday and have to look after Williams and Bru with injuries and illness in the squad, but if collision and Stewart are not better than Hunt then we are in trouble. He has not played for months and it really showed. He gave the ball away with almost every touch and cost us 2 points in a game we should have buried. I hope these silly points we seem to be experts at dropping doesn't come back to hurt us. Blackburn are very poor and the top teams in this league would never have drawn that game. Disappointed!!!

2

dannyrr added 22:23 - Oct 18 Why is it when we're in command does Mick take the best players off and replace them with a defensive mentality. This cost us three points today. I agree Hunt was awful and thought he would gave been replaced at half time. Rumour was that Darren Ambrose was coming on. That would have been a better option. We gave to keep control of the game till the final whistle not for 80 minutes. Hopefully we can give a good performance at Cardiff on Tuesday. COYB

5

blueboy1981 added 00:14 - Oct 19 ......... let's not dwell on poor Refereeing - poor / negative tactics coupled with the fact that everyone needs to realise that the game is still 'alive' until the final whistle .......... cost us another precious 2 points today. That's the reality of this afternoon.
2

blueboy1981 added 00:15 - Oct 19 ........ not to mention uncalled for substitutions !!!!!!
2

ITFCRealist added 00:54 - Oct 19 Enough is enough. This muppet cant get us beyond 6th, even with one of the highest wage bills in the division. ME, time to move on please, get us a manager who can win games, not just draw them. Last year we could have finished in the playoffs, were it not for bad management. Please don't let it be the same again.
-7

jonbull88 added 07:39 - Oct 19 Oh my drop a few points at the end of the game and the "mick out brigade" find there keyboards. Get a grip, mick has got us playing much better over the last few weeks, and today he was missing mushy, bishop, hyam and chambers who for me were big losses. It is so frustrating getting pegged back in stoppage time twice and I was there at forest but it happens. We've scored more than our fair share of 90th minute goals over the years. But please pipe down with your mick out bollocks and wait till at least we've lost 3 or 4 in a row, havent scored in 5 hours and get totally outplayed for 2 matches.

2

jonbull88 added 07:40 - Oct 19 *murphy
0

dirtydingusmagee added 09:53 - Oct 20 absolutely gutted,for team and Mick too.But the team are playing decent football, Hopefully the team dont get disheartened ,and we get some positive breaks like they did .We are still in the chase, long way to go,and budgies tripping up .COYB
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls