Town boss Mick McCarthy insisted that the Blues’ recent habit of securing late home wins isn’t part of a plan, but was nevertheless delighted that Brett Pitman’s 89th minute goal had given his team a 2-1 victory over Reading to see them back into sixth in the Championship.

Earlier, Ryan Fraser had put Town in front before Garath McCleary equalised for the Royals from the spot after Cole Skuse had brought down Hal Robson-Kanu.

“Great isn’t it? It’s not a cunning plan I’m using, believe me,” McCarthy said when asked about the Blues’ recent record of three last-gasp wins in their last four home games in the league. “And when the subs go on and contribute like that it’s brilliant.”

The Blues boss was delighted to see his substitutions pay off with Luke Varney coming off the bench to set up fellow sub Pitman: “I am, I’m chuffed for them as well. I’m chuffed for everybody actually, because it wasn’t a great game.

“I think they had a very good side, they’ve got some really good players. It was one of the hardest games we’ve had all season.

“I said to them at half-time, ‘Keep grinding it out if that’s what you have to do, we might nick it in the 90th minute’. That was one of my quotes. ‘And if you don’t win don’t get beaten’.

“It was tough at times and it was really scrappy but we showed endurance and resilience and kept going, which is a real quality of ours, which is much maligned sometimes unfortunately.”

McCarthy had praise for Varney’s pass which led to Pitman’s goal: “There was a good bit of quality in that, and Ryan’s goal as well.

“I’ve seen people have a really good slap at that with their right foot and panic. But he didn’t, he had another touch. Of course, it was scrappy, but he hit the target, didn’t he?”

He says Pitman, who has now netted nine goals this season, is unfortunate not to be starting: “He is [a terrific finisher] and he’s unlucky to be out of the team.

“I changed it at Brighton because we were 4-4-2. I changed it that day because I knew the way they might play and he’s not been in since.

“But what’s lovely about Brett is that he just gets on with it and comes on and scores the winner every now and then, which is great. But he wants to play, I get that.”

The Town manager had no complaints about Reading’s penalty, conceded when Cole Skuse made an uncharacteristically rash challenge, post-match at least.

“He was magnificent today, Cole Skuse,” McCarthy said. “He was unbelievably good, I thought. I was moaning like drain as usual that it wasn’t a penalty and I just said to him afterwards ‘Was it a penalty?’ and he pulled a face. That’s OK for me, that answered all my questions.”

Quizzed on the unusually flat Portman Road atmosphere, McCarthy joked: “I thought it was wonderful when we let them all back in on 89 minutes, I thought it was great!

“I just said, me and TC made more noise tonight, barking and shouting and growling. I hope it’s not a reflection on the fact that we’ve had a couple of defeats and we’re suddenly out of the top six.

“The top six is there to be had right until the last minute, as we know from last season. We need to stick together. We need that support, it’s been outstanding, the away support’s been just magnificent.

“I get that some nights it can be like that but I thought at one-all with 10 minutes to go that’s when you need that [backing from the crowd]. Anyway, we resurrected one or two in the 89th minute!”

Regarding the recent spate of late home winners, he added: “It’s becoming a habit of ours. You keep asking me what the difference is between the home record and the away record this year. I haven’t got a clue.

“And why we’re scoring late goals. I could say because we keep going, that’s the main thing. But I don’t know, it’s just a different season.

“It’s a different season which could end up with the same result with us being in the top six.

“And that’s with us not spending and taking loan players on 25 and 30 [grand] a week, it’s us with a great bunch of lads who are scrapping tooth and nail to get in it.”

Skuse thanked his former lodger Pitman, a team-mate from their Bristol City days, for saving his blushes.

"I had Pits living with me for six weeks at the start of the season so he’s repaid that tonight, and instead of paying me some rent he’s gone and dug me out of a hole,” the midfielder told Ipswich Player HD.

“I said to the lads and the gaffer after the game that I apologise for the silly tackle. It’s just one of those things and it was a daft one which I didn’t really need to make.

“Brett doesn’t like being called a ‘super sub’ so we’ve been calling him Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for a while!

“I thought all three subs made a difference tonight. Bru livened up the game, Varns came on and put himself about, won his headers while holding the ball up well and Pits got his goal.

“We’ve got lads on the comeback trail which will only make us stronger so our depth is there, the quality is there and I think we’ve proven it by getting ourselves back in the mix tonight.”

Reading manager Brian McDermott said the late goal was difficult to take after what he felt was a decent performance from his team.

“It’s tough to take but that’s the Championship for you,” he said. “We knew what the game was about, I think it’s 16 fixtures on a Tuesday night [at home] that they’ve won, so fair play to Mick and Ipswich.

“That’ll put them right in amongst it. It’s a sickener for us, but I can’t complain about the spirit, the effort and the guts that we showed.

"We showed guts to come back. It’s just unfortunate that we lost that goal late on.”

Photo: Action Images

Ipswichlove added 23:01 - Feb 2 We were Quiet Mick because it was a sh1te game.. Anyway love ya Mick, quality win <3
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Mark added 23:01 - Feb 2 Some people near me always leave a few minutes before the 90. They must hear the crowd cheering as they leave the stadium time and time again, but still do it. Poor first half, but an improvement after the interval and I think we just about deserved to win. The substitutions worked a treat, Bru improving the midfield's creativity, and Varney's cross for Pitman's goal. Back up to 6th and time to be positive again. Mick McCarthy continues to work wonders on his shoestring budget.

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N4_Blue added 23:04 - Feb 2 Well done Big Mick...football poor but results matter and all those constantly complaining that we don't spend enough or play beautiful footy, look what's happening to Derby. Him and TC have created a team who work tirelessly for each other and I'd prefer to watch that than a load of over paid mercenaries who couldn't give a.....
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evansblue added 23:11 - Feb 2 If you sit in the North stand lower tier you should sing your heart out all game. It's what me and my mates did when we were young. Too many in there these days that really need to retire gracefully to another part of ground and let the youngsters take over. Fantastic 3 points - thanks Mick
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BlueandTruesince82 added 23:16 - Feb 2 When I was about 6 we were at a Tuesday night game and town were 1 down with 5 to go, dad decided we're beating the traffic and off we pop, just as we get though the turnstyle a huge roar went up, 1 all, barley 50m further down the road and a second roar. Town won 2-1. I can't remember who we were playing but I have never left a game early since
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VulpineBlue added 23:24 - Feb 2 I think that the crowd were quiet because they were gobsmacked at the sight of a football team who turned up disguised as a packet of Parma Violets.
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Paulc added 23:31 - Feb 2 I'll never understand why people leave early. You pay to watch 90 mins of football, you wouldn't leave the cinema with 5 minutes of the film left to go. Any way tough sh!t to anyone who missed the winner. Can we play all our remaining home games on a Tuesday please. We obviously don't have a budget to buy players that allow us to play pretty and roll teams over, so damn fine job on a tight budget. COYB

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oldegold added 23:49 - Feb 2 Very glad that we won...but the quality of our football is dire.No forward play, no anticipation, plain kick 'n' rush, players not in their natural positions, defense-minded...horrible to watch at the best o' times...
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tractorshark added 00:21 - Feb 3 Likewise puzzled by people who leave a game early. I drive 100 miles from Sussex for home games and, yes, it would be advantageous to get out early and beat the traffic. But I never have and never will. Even when we were being trounced by Norwich the other year, I stayed until the end. I always think you might miss one of those unbelievable football moments that you'll talk about for years. I'm still waiting though!!

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Mr_Evans added 06:00 - Feb 3 "I'm chuffed for everybody actually, because it wasn't a great game." How often are we heading this? It wasn't a good performance, but we're grinding out victories. I'm hoping that either our luck doesn't change.
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sidtheswan added 06:23 - Feb 3 MM is a nob ! If he plays attractive football fans will come back and the atmosphere will be better . MM's contempt for the FA cup and the fans results in poor attendances and lack of atmosphere . Not everyone earns as much as him and things are tight after xmas. Apart from Leeds at home performances have been poor this season and MM's footballing philosophy doesn't suit the people of Ipswich. The sooner he foxtrot oscars the better !

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B1TFC added 07:05 - Feb 3 Well said Sidtheswan, said NOBODY EVER!! we are sixth in the league having spent no money, I for one am glad MM and TC got extensions to their contracts because at the end of the day I'd rather be seeing a result rather than playing pretty passing football and losing, there's not much better feeling than seeing your team at the top part of the league, than the bottom and for the second successive full season we have something to fight for and cheer about. Give me ugly football and a season that goes on until May, rather than pretty passing that gets us nowhere and the season is over now for teams like Reading, QPR to name a few! Another Tuesday, another win! COYB

7

carsey added 07:40 - Feb 3 We were garbage and apart from a couple of good goals it was one of the worst games I can recall in over 40 years. Contrary to what McCarthy says Reading weren't a good side they were worse than us. This is not a good squad and if we squeeze in to the playoffs again we will be lucky.
3

Kikapu added 07:50 - Feb 3 It's the only squad we've got. Let's get behind them!
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Stato added 07:52 - Feb 3 Too many who post on here have forgotten that football is an entertainment business and the falling attendances are a reflection of the lack of entertainment at Portman Road under Mick McCarthy. We need bigger gates as it will give us and our manager a bigger budget. We were lucky tonight so male that boring and lucky which is hardly likely to start putting bums on seats.

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Dissboyitfc added 07:57 - Feb 3 Tractorshark... i agree, never will understand those who leave early, bizarre really. The second leg against bolton being such an occasion, really amazing evening followed by the victory at the old Wembley, think i am right in saying that was the last competitive game between 2 league teams at the famous and iconic old stadium. A welcome 3 points against reading, but i wonder if those heights are to be enjoyed again any time soon?

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Currie10 added 09:10 - Feb 3 Ahhhh only 16 comments followed by a late winner. If we'd conceded a late goal twtd would be on 160 comments calling Mick a dinosaur and copious other pathetic comments. GET IN.
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Currie10 added 09:16 - Feb 3 No Bossman, football is a results business. We played decent stuff under Jewell and Magilton at times, remind me how many times we made the play offs under them. Someone posted recently on here about not getting points for style and comparing it with snowboarding, spot on.
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Bert added 09:28 - Feb 3 Yes, a poor quality game that failed to lift the crowd but cannot fault the effort. Knudsen and Sears both had good games. Tuesday night games may be good for us points wise but the reason the gate is down is more to do with how people have to work. Just look at most other Tuesday attendances in the league and it is clear that folk cannot always go to mid week games.
3

StowTractorBoy added 09:55 - Feb 3 Reading brought just 205 fans which had a huge bearing on the attendance. Had it been one of the bigger Clubs with followings of over 1000 the gate would not look so bad. 16600 on a Tuesday night against lowly opposition when many of our fans have to travel long distances and have work commitments is not that bad.
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Currie10 added 10:09 - Feb 3 That being said I'd love us to lay triangles and do moves similar to Leicester's glorious move yesterday that maybe should have led to a penalty. COYB! Two difficult away games next.
1

Lathers added 11:06 - Feb 3 Things now evened out after shipping late goals at Brentford and Forest. Can't keep relying on this, we need to dominate teams at home rather than dig in and wear them down. This style of football will only be acceptable if we make the play-offs. If we finish outside the top 6 then we will have suffered awful football for nothing.
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BackTheBlues added 12:05 - Feb 3 All those who thought Varney was a wasted contract must be happy this morning... Not the greatest game but as Mick says - we're in the top 6 and we've got to stick together. Sometimes the players need the fans and sometimes the fans need the players... Last night was the players turn and the next game away at QPR the fans will be in full voice!
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jas0999 added 12:17 - Feb 3 Remarkable we are sixth particularly after many average performances. But we continue to win. Mick has done an excellent job with virtually no backing from Evans.
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cranky_old_tractor added 12:39 - Feb 3 The result counts and we will take the three points thank you BUT the product needs to look better if the crowds are going to comeback. I know it was a mid week night but the crowd was small Up ITFC - down the hoof!
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