Town missed a succession of second-half chances as they drew 1-1 at home with fellow play-off challengers Brentford. Daryl Murphy put the Blues ahead in the ninth minute via his 22nd goal of the season, Jonathan Douglas hit back for the Bees, before the Blues failed to take numerous opportunities to win it in the second half with Murphy missing a gilt-edged chance just after half-time.

Town boss Mick McCarthy recalled keeper Dean Gerken in place of Bartosz Bialkowski, one of four changes to the team which lost at Leeds.

While the back four was unchanges, Richard Chaplow came in on the right of midfield with Jay Tabb in the centre with Cole Skuse and Jonny Parr on the left. Murphy and Freddie Sears returned up front.

Brentford struck the first shot of the game in the third minute, one-time Town target Alan Judge cutting in from the left before hitting a low effort wide of Gerken’s right post.

As at Griffin Park on Boxing Day, Town scored with their first chance of the match, although on this occasion after nine minutes rather than 18 seconds.

Chaplow sent over a deep cross from the right, Christophe Berra nodded downwards towards goal, and Murphy added the final touch off the post at close range to claim his 22nd goal of the season and end his four-game mini-goal drought.

Four minutes after the Blues had taken the lead Sears was sent through the middle, battling with Liam Moore but was unable to shake the defender off and eventually his shot hit a defender.

The Blues kept up the pressure and on 13 Murphy almost made the most of Bees keeper David Button rushing out of his goal to the left chasing Tommy Smith’s long ball, but the Irishman hit his shot into the side-netting from a very tight angle.

On 15 Chaplow played Parr into a promising position on the left of the area but the Norwegian smashed his low shot across the face of goal.

Gerken, playing his first game since suffering a groin problem in the warm-up at Blackpool in November, was first called into action in the 23rd minute when he dived away to his left to claim Alex Pritchard’s 25-yard strike.

But two minutes later the visitors were on terms. Space was cleverly worked for Judge to cross from the right, Gerken superbly saved Stuart Dallas’s low far-post volley but Bees skipper Jonathan Douglas reacted quickly to nod home the rebound.

Brentford weren’t far from a second in the 31st minute when Judge got ahead of Parr to flick a Pritchard left-wing cross wide at the far post.

Two minutes later, the Bees failed to deal with a Tabb freekick in from the left but the ball just wouldn’t fall for Sears and then Mings. On 37 Pritchard picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Skuse.

The Bees had been on top since equalising but the Blues created an opportunity in the 38th minute, Sears crossing from the right to Murphy, who was just unable to work the ball into a position from which he could shoot.

There was controversy in the 41st minute when Murphy played in Parr from the right, sending the Norwegian through towards goal on the edge of the box where he was awkwardly felled by Moses Odubajo.

Referee Scott Duncan looked to have a big decision to make but instead pulled play back to penalise Murphy - perhaps for handball - much the surprise and annoyance of the home crowd.

The Bees went close to going in front soon, Andre Gray turning Pritchard’s cross from the right only just wide after Judge had seized on a weak Mings header.

Just before the break, Tabb broke quickly following a poorly worked Brentford corner, finding Sears on the right. The ex-Colchester man crossed low to Chaplow, whose shot was saved by Button and Tabb and Murphy were unable to get onto the rebound.

The 1-1 scoreline at the break was a reasonable reflection of a game which had swung one way and then the other with both teams having had chances to add to their goal.

The Blues might have had it sealed had they taken their opportunities straight after Murphy had put them in the lead, but the Bees came back into it and deserved their equaliser when it came and had chances to get themselves in front before the break.

Less than a minute after the restart the Blues should have been back in front. Parr escaped down the left of the area and cut the ball across to Murphy, who was a matter of feet out. But, with the goal gaping, somehow the Championship’s top scorer slid in and diverted the ball over the bar when a goal seemed certain.

A minute later, Sears saw a shot blocked, then after Town had made rather heavy weather of clearing a Brentford corner from the left, Douglas was booked for a foul on Parr.

The Blues should have got their noses back in front again in the 57th minute when Tabb found Berra in space on the left of the area following a corner. The Scottish international played a low ball across the six-yard box but no one was there to add the final touch.

Town continued to look the more threatening team, Mings pulling off a clever turn on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot through to Button.

Soon after, Sears battled with Odubajo after a ball had been played through the middle, the Town striker eventually fouling the defender, then the ex-Leyton Orient man did well to get back to dispossess the Blues frontman after he had been played in on the left.

Town boss McCarthy made a double substitution in the 64th minute with Chaplow and Sears replaced by Teddy Bishop and Chris Wood. The decision to replace the lively Sears was met with a chorus of boos from the Blues support.

Gerken saved Pritchard’s 25-yard freekick after Town had made their change but the visitors had threatened rarely since the break with the Blues having had more than enough chances to restore their lead.

Town had another excellent opportunity to score soon afterwards when Murphy was sent through on goal by Mings’s long ball but keeper Button saved with his left hand. Seconds later, Wood was flagged offside when in behind the Bees’ backline when he seemed to have timed his run correctly.

Murphy hit a low shot from the right of the area as the Blues kept up the pressure, then at the other end Gray hit a looping effort straight at Gerken after seizing on a Town error.

The chances continued to come and Wood should have netted his first goal for the Blues in the 76th minute, the New Zealand international nodding Bishop’s right-wing cross wide at the near post.

With nine minutes left on the clock Toumani Diagouraga was booked for pulling back Wood, prior to Town having another chance to go back in front. Bishop found himself space inside the area and hit a shot which Button saved.

Parr was yellow-carded for a foul, then Odubajo joined him in the book for a foul on the Norwegian.

Brentford carved out a rare second-half chance in the final minute of scheduled time when Pritchard was fed inside the area but Smith got a cross superbly to block.

Town continued to push for a winner in five minutes of injury time but the goal which would take them back into the play-off zone wouldn’t come.

The points ought to have been sealed well before that in what had been a thoroughly entertaining game, however, with the Blues having failed to convert at least four good second-half chances, Murphy’s miss just after the break the most glaring.

Town remain seventh, a point behind the sixth-placed Bees and five points off the automatic promotion places with a visit to Middlesbrough, who are now fourth, up next Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Chaplow (Bishop 64), Parr, Tabb, Murphy, Sears (Wood 64). Unused: Bialkowski, Clarke, Anderson, Connolly, Varney.

Brentford: Button, Bidwell, Douglas, Odubajo, Dallas, Judge (Jota 67), Gray (Long 75), Diagouraga, Pritchard, Tarkowski, Moore (Dean 71). Unused: Bonham, McCormack, Toral, Smith. Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland). Attendance: 20,132 (Brentford: 1,245).

Photo: Action Images

Minneapolis_ITFC added 02:11 - Mar 8 At least we're creating chances that could lead to a goal, some teams have a tough time trying to put anything together during a game. There's only one recognized scorer in Murphy right now and keep getting conflicting reports about when McGolrdrick will once again be available. Caught highlights of todays game and credit to the opposition goalkeeper, but can't get past the fact it's further points lost and while Murphy missed a superb chance also, he's been such a star this season it's almost hard to criticize. Only six or seven points from the top as well and it's not as if we're really adrift of the auto places and the play-offs are always in touch, but getting more concerned as the season draws to a close in a few months ahead. If we WERE to finish in the top six the previous encounters from 1997 - 2005 are hard to look back on as our record is so dismal and then you've got teams the caliber of Derby and Norwich you could be facing off with when the time arises. Doesn't always fill you with confidence. The last time we had a team really good enough for the premier league was 10 years ago with Royle. Yes we didn't make it then but they were a lot more capable - and consistent - than what McCarthy has now assembled. I actually thought for a time in December, that " f'ng hell, we're going to be a premier league team in a few months" - especially after the away game at todays opposition Brentford, but there's been a rapid decline since that day and still don't understand enough why we have dropped away like we have.

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yun added 02:56 - Mar 8 Five points off an automatic place with ten games to play. Surely too early to be crying just yet.
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skinnyman27 added 04:59 - Mar 8 @yun totally agree but most of the fans on this site are idiots who expect town to win every game 5-0
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BlueMachines added 06:30 - Mar 8 Minneapolis. We have dropped away because MM has reverted to negative tactics and simply refuses to make the necessary changes to improve the defence. It's not rocket science Sir!!
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battyblue added 07:14 - Mar 8 Still 10 games to go...........next Saturday no worries still 9 games to go and so on we are slipping behind wake up MM fans time is running out for us and him.
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Kirbmeister added 09:16 - Mar 8 Sheepy606 has it spot on. I wonder how many in here actually saw the game yesterday. We created lots of chances and on another say it would have been a decent win. Brentford passed well but didn't trouble is too much. Can't believe anyone wants MM out. Can't you understand he has had no money to spend and the club is in a lot of debt. What players do you expect us to sign in these circumstances? I agree that sometimes my team selection would be different but he is the manager. I think he's done a cracking job since he's been here taking over side that were relegation fodder. And don't forget all out injuries- that's hardly his fault either.

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bluescoles added 09:47 - Mar 8 I have had to add myself to the site so I could comment, annoying! I cannot believe the difference in attitude between ourselves and the Brentford supporters. Reading comments on here you would think we were Blackpool facing certain relegation rather than the team in 7 th outclassing the team in 6th 5 points off top spot. Also I don't know how many of you were there yesterday but we are pushing for promotion with a squad purchased with spit and sawdust and only 20k people were there, over 1000 being from Brentford. Mick McCarthy is doing a great job with a makeshift squad. I am sure he would like to buy Messi but could it be that 100k plus spectators for every game gives you a bit more opportunity to buy quality than 18k for a promotion run in. If we didn't have such a good away support we would be a small team now. They were outclassed yesterday but chanting about going up we were the better team and people reacted at the end round me as if we had lost the game. Get a grip, appreciate what we have,good manager, great ground, great history, good players, top scorer in the league and a great opportunity to be in the play offs or even more. Support the team. Coyb

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Warkys_Tash added 10:15 - Mar 8 All said and done, most people would agree that the promotion winning team of 2000 was stronger than our current? Better midfield, etc. However, remember folks they never won the league at a canter, they finished 3rd & then won the play-offs. Maybe this team will do the same, yes we were wasteful yesterday but also could have been 4-1 up at half time, at least we were creating chances. Let's back the team as we are only 5 points off the top we 10 to go. Middlesbrough lost yesterday & Derby's form - for all Bent, Ince & Lingard - is no better than our own!

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MHS added 11:09 - Mar 8 Really hope MM or anyone with an ounce of footballing knowledge pays no notice to some of the ridiculous, ignorant, and fickle comments posted on here. Firstly, Murphy scores that chance, something he would do 9 times out of 10, everyone would be raving about how well we've played. Created a lot of chances against a very good Brentford side. Actually played some decent stuff until we conceded, then inevitably the crowd gets nervous and this filters through to the team - hence we start playing long. Exactly the same happened at Reading at home where we were on top, we concede a lucky goal against the run of play then all of a sudden the crowd starts moaning and players get nervous. As for 'negative tactics' - a team like Brentford would tear us apart if we played an open game. We needed to be rigid, strong, and quick on the break, which I believe we were. To be fair to most fans I was also miffed by the Sears substitution - perhaps worried by the reaction of taking off our top scorer? And 3 up front would of risked conceding another, something we couldn't afford. If the rumours are true of MM swearing at some fans, then fair play to him, because several of them deserve it.

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jeffa added 11:09 - Mar 8 My respect for MM has been to the fullest all season until yesterday. When the fans booed his decision to take off Freddy Sears, he turned to the crowd in the family enclosure and shouted f**k off twice. My respect has now gone totally
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wangford_blues added 11:30 - Mar 8 in mid table we trust
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PJH added 11:34 - Mar 8 Good morning walberswicks.
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warktheline added 11:41 - Mar 8 @kirbmeister, totally agree w ith Mick having done a cracking job to date, and also totally oppose the core of fans wanting him out, but nevertheless even I, have had to concede some ground on McCarthy's team selection. I'm interested on your opinions on the back four saga, are you happy with unit, or would you change it? @jeffa, agree with that kind of language towards family section is wrong and unwarranted, but it doesn't surprise me, especially when you consider the lack of appreciation many fans have shown towards management. Some managers and clubs go together like a hand in glove, unfortunately this combination appears to have a couple of fingers missing in the glove!

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martin587 added 13:49 - Mar 8 There is everything to play for with 10games to go.we can still do it with the squad we have.Too much negativity on here.Get behind the team,MM and the owner.COYB
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kidsurello added 16:29 - Mar 8 Many people have their views, the reality is, Mick is sticking at this club for the long term whether we like it or not, look at it from Evans point of view, he's got the club from bottom to challenging play-offs, why would he change it? He's a businessmen not supporter let's face it. In that department there's nothing we can do. The only thing we can do is back the team in blue and white for the remaining games. The further we go play-offs, play-off finals, prem? The more £££££ we get which we can then spend in the summer

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dirtydingusmagee added 16:33 - Mar 8 too early to work out where the teams will finish,but ive thought about our games and can see 11 points at best add a bit of good luck 13, i dont think that is enough to be honest ,sure other teams will drop points ,but wont all be against us i doubt .
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:37 - Mar 8 probably be someone reckon we will get about 30 points from remaining games ,i wont knock em ,just hope they are right .But current form is not good enough .
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BriggEnd added 16:46 - Mar 8 We are a one man team without murphy we would be in the brown stuff fact. No one else in the team is capable of finding the back of the net at the moment. We are missing Mcgoldrick again at another key part of the season towards the end of last season we missed him big style if he not been injured we might have sneaked into the playoffs. Its same again this season at another key time injured again and we are fooked big style when a playoff position at least is fast fading away. This has been a massive chance this season to get out of this tough league or is it a simple fact we are not good enough to get out of this league. We have the one of the best managers in this division other teams in this division would love to have Mick at the helm but im sat hear at home scratching my head why we going into freefall since mid december.

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wangford_blues added 18:31 - Mar 8 can't see us getting any away points with our mid table team roll on september
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PJH added 20:13 - Mar 8 I think that is what you said just before we won at Fulham walberswicks so our chances at Middlesbro now look even better.
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dirtydingusmagee added 07:29 - Mar 9 walberswicks?is that wangford blues ?
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PJH added 07:45 - Mar 9 Think so dirttydingusmagee. Posts as walberswicks seem to have disappeared but almost identical posts as wangford now appearing.
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norfolkbluey added 10:02 - Mar 9 Sitting in the Norwich City directors' box on Sunday afternoon should have been an exhilarating experience. Believe me it was not! Comments around me ranged from, “how on earth are they above us? Their play is so boring, why do they keep lobbing the ball over our mid field? This is easy. Their mid-field can't keep the ball for more than 5 seconds. We haven't put any real pressure on them and we are cruising!” I felt humiliated. When Norwich scored their first goal our supporters became very quiet and like me probably felt that we might be in for a real thrashing. Thankfully our defence held firm. Our mid field were a complete shambles and quite inept. Yes they ran their socks off but with no end product. I felt sorry for our forwards who had to do all the running just to get hold of the ball. Sears was an inspiration and would make an excellent driving mid fielder. Long ball tactics are useless against what was essentially a premiership quality team of players. At the end of the 90 minutes I was yawning! We MUST find a quality mid fielder who can inspire the team and give our forwards some decent service. This has to be a major priority otherwise its going to be yet another year in the championship. Norwich lost at home to Wigan a team in danger of relegation! What does that say about Ipswich! We also lost again at Leeds against a team below us. This is not promotion form! Sitting watching us play against Brentford was again another frustrating afternoon. Its a round trip of 130 miles for me and I am beginning to loose the will to travel watching rubbish. Having recently moved to northwest Norfolk I am questioning whether it is worthwhile me renewing my season ticket in the light of what I see as a lack of ambition by the club. This happened before when Joe Royal was denied the funds for the final push. Please let us learn from history! I am not in the habit of slating individuals and I am not going to now. Players out of position is a no no, Boy, do we miss Mc Goldrick. Until he returns I can only see us dropping further down the table. MM please play Parr at rightback and Bishop and Skuse in central midfield.

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