Skipper Luke Chambers put the Blues in front with a brave header but Tomer Hemed equalised from the penalty spot as Town's game against second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex ended 1-1. Chambers headed in a Tom Lawrence freekick in the ninth minute but Hemed levelled on 29 after Emyr Huws had been adjudged to have fouled Seagulls skipper Bruno.

Myles Kenlock and Jordan Spence replaced the injured Steven Taylor and Christophe Berra as Mick McCarthy named the team which played much of Saturday’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa.

Kenlock was at left wing-back with Spence, Jonas Knudsen and captain Chambers the three-man backline, while Josh Emmanuel was the right wing-back. Bartosz Bialkowski was in goal.

In midfield, Toumani Diagouraga and Huws were joined by Grant Ward with Cole Skuse still out with an achilles injury. Up front, Tom Lawrence was again be partnered by David McGoldrick.

Brighton, who had ex-Town loanee David Stockdale in goal, were unchanged from the weekend 4-1 home win against Burton Albion.

The home side won two early freekicks with Kenlock somewhat harshly picking up the game’s first yellow card after less than a minute for fouling Solly March.

Chambers headed the first clear but Bialkowski allowed Knockaert’s second to slip through his fingers but fortunately Dale Stephens headed over from a tight angle at the far post.

Huws required treatment in the fifth minute after clashing heads with Bruno. The Wales international eventually left the pitch with blood pouring from a cut and went down the tunnel for stitches.

Town, wearing their Barcelona-style third kit, were still down to 10 men when they went in front in the eighth minute.

Lawrence was tripped not far outside the area on the left and the on-loan Leicester man whipped over a cross and skipper Chambers headed home his third goal of the season.

The celebrations were somewhat muted as the centre-half collided with Stockdale and his team-mates immediately calling for medical assistance.

After a lengthy period of treatment - with the home fans starting to boo and remonstrations from Bruno - the goalscorer returned to the pitch with the game having restarted moments earlier. Huws was still off the field.

On the quarter hour Lewis Dunk hooked straight at Bialkowski after Knockaert’s freekick from the left had reached him at the far post. Soon after, Huws returned to the action wearing a bandage and a numberless shirt.

Lawrence and McGoldrick exchanged passes in the 18th minute, Town’s top scorer feeding the Irish international, whose shot was deflected out for a corner.

Emmanuel became the second Town player to get his name in the book in the 20th minute for a foul on Hemed on the left.

The home side had had plenty of freekicks in the first quarter of the game but with the somewhat makeshift Blues backline so far managing to repel everything thrown at them, while Lawrence and McGoldrick both looked a threat when Town broke.

Albion continued to push for the equaliser and on 26 Knockaert was sent away on the right, cut in and hit a low shot which was too close to Bialkowski.

But three minutes later, they levelled from the penalty spot with Huws adjudged to have fouled Bruno as the Albion skipper got behind him on the right of the area.

The right-back made a lot of not very much - referee Roger East initially waved away Bruno’s appeal until his linesman indicated a spotkick - but Huws did appear to grab the Spaniard’s shirt. Hemed sent his penalty low to Bialkowski’s left and into the net.

After the penalty Lawrence was yellow-carded for dissent, his 10th booking of the season, which means he will miss the Leeds and Norwich matches.

It had been a feisty first half and Brighton striker Sam Baldock got his name in the book for kicking out at Knudsen as the pair chased a ball out of play. Card-happy official Roger East also booked Chambers for protesting in the same incident.

On 35 McGoldrick probably should have put the Blues back in front after Ward's cutback from the right reached him on the penalty spot but the Blues number 10’s low effort was too close to Stockdale, who blocked.

Moments later, McGoldrick got his name in the book for fouling Steve Sidwell as the Seagulls counter-attacked.

Both sides had threatening moments during six minutes of injury time added on for the injuries to Huws and Chambers but without any further score before the break.

Town had had a decent half claiming a valuable lead from the early set piece. The home side subsequently had a lot of the ball but created few clear-cut opportunities until the penalty which Bruno did as much as he could to win even if Huws had made some contact, while the Blues had also created the odd chance.

Town started the second half on the front foot with Lawrence cutting in and hitting a shot which Stockdale blocked in the opening minute.

The Blues continued their bright start to the second period and on 56 McGoldrick sent Kenlock away on the left but the 20-year-old’s pass was too strong for the breaking Huws.
"A minute later, Dunk was yellow-carded for fouling Lawrence on the right and from the freekick the Blues were close to going back in front. The Welshman whipped over a cross, Spence headed back across goal and off the post.

Chambers got to the loose ball first and backheeled back into the danger area from where McGoldrick struck a shot which deflected off Sidwell, then the bar and over.

Brighton began to get back on top and just after the hour March brought the ball forward and hit a powerful shot not too far wide of Bialkowski’s right post. On 63 Stephens sent another strike from distance past the other post.

A minute later Brighton claimed another penalty when March cut inside Spence and went to ground. This time East waved away the protests as Bialkowski reacted angrily to what he saw as a dive.

The Seagulls were beginning to threaten more regularly and on 67 Knockaert played on Baldock on the left of the area and hit a shot across Bialkowski, which the keeper did well to stop. Knudsen was fouled as he sought to help the loose ball away.

Albion replaced Tomer with Glenn Murray on 66 and then soon after March with Jamie Murphy, then in the 74th minute the Blues switched Diagouraga for Jonathan Douglas.

After Murphy had hit a shot into Bialkowski’s arms when cutting in from the left, Shane Duffy joined the lengthy list of names in referee East’s book for a late tackle on Lawrence.

As the game moved towards its final 10 minutes the Blues found themselves under sustained pressure. On 80 Knudsen did well to block a Murphy shot from distance. Soon after, Baldock was replaced by Chuba Akpom.

The on-loan Arsenal striker immediately got into the game, breaking into the area but scuffing a shot through to Bialkowski.

Town quickly broke and had their best chance of the second half, Huws cutting in from the left leaving a defender on the floor, before hitting a low shot which Stockdale saved with a foot at his near post.

But Albion were presenting the greater threat and on 84 Akpom looked to have been sent away beyond the Town defence until Knudsen cut across him to take the ball off his feet.

The Blues switched McGoldrick and Lawrence and Kieffer Moore and Freddie Sears with a few minutes of scheduled time remaining.

As the fourth official raised his board indicating six additional minutes Brighton broke after a spell of Town pressure. Murphy got away on the left and cut the ball back to another sub Murray, who hit a shot on the turn, which struck the inside of the woodwork before being half-cleared and then smashed well over.

Duffy headed over following a freekick on the left, then Akpom scuffed a shot on the turn through to Bialkowski but the Blues - who had Huws booked for dissent in injury time taking the total to six which will see the club fined - held out for an excellent away point, completing a good few days’ work on the road.

Having started the second half well, Town inevitably found themselves under spells of pressure but the backline remained resolute and Bialkowski was at his confident best behind them, although Murray will feel he should have scored when he struck the woodwork

However, the Blues also hit the post and Huws could well have claimed all three points for Town with his opportunity which was well saved by Stockdale.

Four points from two tough away games is probably more than any Town expected and built on the home performance against Reading, which deserved more than a draw.

Lawrence's 10th yellow card of the season which will see him miss the next two games - at home to Leeds and then the East Anglian derby at Norwich - put a dampener on what was otherwise an excellent evening.

Town remain in 13th but now 11 points clear of the relegation zone, although having played a game more than Wigan and Blackburn in 22nd and 23rd.

Brighton: Stockdale, Bruno (c), Duffy, Dunk, Pocognoli, Knockaert, Sidwell, Stephens, March (Murphy 71), Baldock (Akpom 81), Hemed (Murray 67). Unused: Walton, Tomori, Kayal, Skalak.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Emmanuel, Diagouraga (Douglas 71), Huws, Ward, Kenlock, Lawrence (Sears 86), McGoldrick (Moore 85). Unused: Gerken, Pitman, Digby, Bru. Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire). Att: 26,360 (Town: 643).

Photo: Action Images

brittaniaman added 09:29 - Feb 15 Well Done Town Again !!!!! Great Valentine result !!! Was at dinner party, but kept following the game on twitter,without many friends knowing ?? big sigh when penalty given, Even bigger sigh when Douglas came on ?? Dino defence mind working again ??? did not know that he even travelled with the squad. I expect Skuse will be back Sat. (no Diagouraga) Dino will not like to leave Skuse out to long ?? so less attack from midfield ????

1

hairbear added 09:42 - Feb 15 Super, super mick... Prediction for next season for you all. On the current budget, without MM, we will be relegated! We will turn into another Peterborough. Some will accept this to see "entertaining" football but I'd rather be competitive. 3 excellent results against teams who have spent massive amounts compared to us. I'd love to know who people think could do a better job, on the same budget? Super, super Mick...

-7

cat added 10:29 - Feb 15 Nice to see the wave of eurthoria sweeping the site in the wake of 3 decent performances. Let's not forget that we are currently in a relegation battle, I reckon a few on here have lost sight of that. Although the table is looking healthier we are not quite out of the woods yet. Brownie, well balanced post as usual, pretty much echos my thoughts. Milliem, your a COCK fella!!!

3

Lightningboy added 10:38 - Feb 15 Time to stop faffing around with Chambers' contract - when you see McAuley still doing the business in the prem at 37,we should be offering our skipper a new 3 year deal at the very least. And keep on playing him in the CENTRE!
5

battyblue added 10:48 - Feb 15 Excellent unexpected away point ......Mike said their keeper kept them in it but i believe that would apply to ours as well. Kenlock and Emmanual great improvement on Chambers and Knudsen in these positions.
4

Lightningboy added 10:48 - Feb 15 And totally agree with you Surco72. Before all the "Mick is our saviour" & "be careful what you wish for" commentators start piping up again,most of our team changes have been forced upon us over the last couple of weeks (Chambers in his correct position,No Skuse,No Douglas,Emanuel & Kenlock starting). Nothing changes as far as i'm concerned - I want someone brought in during the summer who'll get this club back up on it's feet and playing attractive,attacking football again as it's way of life,not just because the fans are badgering the manager to do so. Great results over recent games & long may it continue but we should expect nothing less..we are Ipswich not Burton,Rotherham or Wigan after all.

7

Razor added 11:00 - Feb 15 Looks like a very soft penalty they got and the ref obviously likes a booking or two. Pity the Reading striker got injured and where is Danny Rowe?
2

dirtydingusmagee added 11:28 - Feb 15 good point earned.Sadly at a cost.Definately seems like the team have got the fight back in them,lets hope they continue to improve.I know Lawrence has scored some great [and important goals] for us, but I hope when it comes to voting for player o the season ,Bart gets the vote,he has been our saviour throughout the season,and if you take into account the shambles that's been going on in front of him he has worked bloody hard.Respect to Tom he has done brilliantly,but he isn't our player he is a Prem player on loan.Bart deserves it more .

3

grumpyoldman added 11:36 - Feb 15 It's started, improved results and we get "super mick" again, if he was a football genius as some make out surely he would have got the type of players he signed in January in September, and we would have had a more attacking outlook earlier. Mick supporters used the fact that he had no money to spend and that was holding us back and it was not his fault, now he is praised for doing well on a small budget, so he didn't need a large amount of money just a change in style, which some of us detractors have been asking him for too long

9

jas0999 added 12:18 - Feb 15 No doubt about it this is a good result. Taken until February, but finally three promising performances on the bounce. Credit to all. Chambers at centre back. No Douglas or Skuse in the starting eleven. Creativity in the midfield. Decent showings. Who would have thought?! Sadly only thing left to play for is beating Norwich. Defeat not an option!
5

Kirbmeister added 12:30 - Feb 15 So what's happening with MM then? Is he still to be sacked? Where are all the 100's of anti MM posters? I'm not bothered either way what happens but we still need to know what you're opinion is surely.
-4

jjhbruno added 13:09 - Feb 15 3 of our best results so far this season. Is this tactical genius or just pure luck as he had no other options. After not changing his spots for 18 months I'll go with the latter. Well done the boys but will not praise Mick, he has lost my support full stop. Not liking someone is allowed and I don't like him. Simples.
3

grumpyoldman added 13:21 - Feb 15 Milliem just done some research on your previous comments, you only seem to comment when things are going well, so by this I can surmise that you are what we call a "fair weather supporter", if you were to post through thick and thin I would have more respect for your views. Swn98 is somebody who's opinion is totally opposed to mine but I respect his honesty if not his views. So milliem please try to give an opinion not just use this site to insult others.

5

dirtydingusmagee added 14:12 - Feb 15
0

dirtydingusmagee added 14:20 - Feb 15 jjbruno I for one want him gone.However I support the team and if they put in a good performance I will give praise .I don't see any point or justification in moaning or protesting about Mc Carthy for the sake of it.The team has improved over the last 3 games and hopefully will continue to do so.Do I think McCarthy will take us further ? no I don't,.
4

jjhbruno added 15:05 - Feb 15 dirtydingusmagee, fair enough. But if he ignores criticism then no point in giving him praise is there, you can't have it both ways. Not that he would give 2 hoots. Can't help himself when he pulls one out of the bag and gives it large as if he is our savior, if he had a little more class he would just take the result with dignity instead of using it as an up yours whoever doesn't believe in me. Then we have the nerve to question him if it goes wrong and he just says sod off. I don't particularly like arrogant people in society so won't support one managing the only football team i will ever follow.

3

walberblue added 16:37 - Feb 15 2017 played 10 won 2 drew 4 lost 4 10 points out of 30 relegation form Last 46 league games won 14 drew 16 lost 16 roughly 58 points puts us bottom half of table.
2

cat added 17:12 - Feb 15 Walberblue- The stats don't lie and it clearly is not good enough. After 4 years in charge you would expect a settle squad now, a team which MM has built. Although I do not oppose loans deals especially with our current predicament, I do not think we should be relying on these loans as we are. We are clearly going backwards instead of forwards and I predict once the nailed on starters are fit they will be back in the team. Dougie was reintroduced last night, this was a very brave or stupid gamble by MM which obviously paid off on this occasion as we drew. MM has shown he is his own man and is not frightened to stick with his believes, this could also be deemed as stubbornness. Trust me when I say the lack of entertainment will return and we will continue to plod along until a change is implemented.

2

Seasider added 18:20 - Feb 15 A good performance bringing about a good result. Like others not that keen on McCarthy because of his arrogance,attitude to the fans,and use of bad language. Yes some of the changes have been forced upon him;but as Swn has said,not in the midfield;where there had been a continuing weakness.Mind you it has taken several windows to do this;but credit for him changing personnel and formation,with the desired result. It is true however,that a lot of us have been calling for such changes over the last year;but better late than never. Quite where we go from here,I am not sure.Town are currently mid table;but still just in the bottom half,and have only won one game out of the last seven;so am not getting too carried away like some. These improved performances recently may have a marginal effect on the soon to be announced Season Ticket sales.It wont affect me as I am one of those who go through thick and thin;but respect those who decide otherwise. Yes it will be an interesting next two and a half months;but not half as interesting as it would have been had ITFC been challenging for promotion as in the last two years!

4

blueboy1981 added 18:22 - Feb 15 bohslegend ............. is alive ... !!!!! Still doesn't make much sense, but at least he's here.
1

DirtyOldNodger added 18:23 - Feb 15 great result last night, we're looking a lot more solid across the board. Amazing what a couple of new signings and a bit of confidence does for the team. Long may it continue! At the time of writing i've noticed there are only 68 comments on this match report, compared to the 200+ that appeared within a few hours of us losing to Lincoln City. Quite sad that some fans only seem to have something to say when we aren't doing well... and some of you wonder why you are labelled moaners / Mick haters!!!

0

blueboy1981 added 18:38 - Feb 15 DirtyOldNodger ......... and you wonder why you're labelled ....... easily satisfied ?? Good result ? - YES ........... Great result ? - questionable in reality. We should be able to expect such a result in my opinion, without expecting too much.
-1

IpswichT62OldBoy added 19:18 - Feb 15 Great to see a team that functions, however it has comes about. Looking forward to Saturday, even without Lawrence who appears disinhibited in every aspect of play including interaction with match officials. I just hope we finish above Derby at the end of the season, above the Budgies is the dream.
0

cat added 19:25 - Feb 15 Dirtyoldnodger- maybe the lack of comments is probably down to the fact that although it's mid February the season is effectively over, apart from the banter between the pro and anti Mick parties (which keeps things interesting) there's not much else going on. Sad times if you think bout it.
3

Geoff added 20:28 - Feb 15 Nice to see town doing well again but just papering over the cracks of MM negative tactics cannot wait to see the back of him. Onwards and upwards would like to see a young manager with ambition and forward thinking and new ideas.
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls