Freddie Sears netted his first goal for four months as the Blues drew 1-1 with Leeds United at Portman Road. The striker turned home Grant Ward’s right-wing cross in the ninth minute but Stuart Dallas equalised against the run of play on 42 with Town having much the better of the chances in the second half, David McGoldrick going closest to winning it when he hit the bar.

Sears, Christophe Berra and Cole Skuse returned to the Town side facing Leeds, while skipper Luke Chambers started despite suffering a cracked rib during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton on Tuesday.

The Blues continued with their 3-5-2 system with Berra in the middle of the back three with Chambers on the right and Jonas Knudsen on the left.

Josh Emmanuel dropped to the bench with Jordan Spence moving to right wing-back.

In midfield, Cole Skuse replaced Toumani Diagouraga, who was unavailable against his parent club, while Sears took over from the suspended Tom Lawrence up front alongside McGoldrick.

Tommy Smith was back on the bench for the first time since undergoing back surgery in September. Leeds made one change with Dallas replacing Kemar Roofe wide on the left.

On a Portman Road pitch showing signs of wear and tear, the visitors started on the front foot but without creating an opportunity and on nine the Blues went ahead with their first attack of the match.

Emyr Huws, sporting a bandage having had stitches to a head wound at Brighton, won the ball midway inside the Leeds half on the left. The Wales international brought it across field before feeding Ward on the right, who sent over a cross which Sears steered home on the volley

It was the returning striker’s third goal of the season and his first since October 29th.

The Blues began to probe for a second, Sears quickly won a corner on the left having been sent away by a clever McGoldrick flick, then on 16 Ward caught a dawdling defender in possession not too far outside the area and hit a shot which flew just over Rob Green’s bar.

Town almost went two in front in the 27th minute when, following a corner, Huws brought the ball in from the right and cut a low ball across the six-yard box towards Knudsen only inches out, but somehow a defender managed to deflect his effort at goal over.

From the resultant corner, Huws whipped in a dangerous ball which Green was forced to paw over from under his bar.

The Blues continued to dominate and just after the half hour Spence sent over a cross from the right which McGoldrick nodded behind from a difficult angle.

Leeds full-back Luke Ayling wasted a rare visitors break in the 32nd minute, cutting the ball back behind all his team-mates having escaped on the right.

The Whites had hardly been in it after the Town goal but in the 42nd minute they got back on terms.

Hadi Sacko sent over a deep cross from the right, which Chris Wood flicked on towards the far post. The otherwise excellent Spence got caught facing the wrong way as the ball came across and Stuart Dallas nipped in behind him and somehow slipped home between Bartosz Bialkowski and the post.

The Blues were unable to carve out an opportunity to restore their lead before the half-time whistle was greeted by warm applause from the home supporters after impressive half from Town.

Having made a sluggish start, the Blues - with Frans Thijssen and Arnold Muhren watching from the directors’ box - scored their very well-worked goal.

From there Town, with Huws again the standout performer, dominated the half with Knudsen’s chance the Blues’ best opportunity to extend their lead. The late Leeds goal came from their first serious attack and came very much against the run of play.

Leeds switched Ronaldo Vieira for Liam Bridcutt for the second half, which the Blues started brightly.

Neither side had created a serious chance, although with Leeds having had most of the ball, before Kevin Bru replaced Skuse, who had missed the previous two games with an achilles injury, on the hour.

On 64 Sears got in behind the Leeds defence on the right from a McGoldrick flick but Pontus Jansson slid in to cut out the striker’s low ball across the box towards his partner up front.

From the corner, the Blues went very close to restoring their lead. Huws’s ball in from the right dropped to McGoldrick who chipped on the turn over Green but off the bar. Berra was first to the rebound but could only nod into Green’s arms.

Town continued to press and on 66 McGoldrick hit a freekick from 25 yards out into the Leeds wall.

The Blues went close again four minutes later when Bru chipped a freekick into the box, the ball was knocked down into the six-yard area and a defender somehow got a touch when McGoldrick seemed certain to tap home from inches out.

Town kept pressing, McGoldrick found Sears with a cross from the right but the West Ham man’s effort from a very tight angle was blocked. Sears quickly won the ball back again a fed Ward, whose effort was blocked.

But the Blues continued to create chances, Ward almost finding McGoldrick with a clever cross from the left which a defender turned behind. From the corner, Green punched poorly but no Town player was able to get onto the ball.

Leeds switched Sacko for Modou Barrow on 77, then a minute later the Blues went near to going back in front again when McGoldrick found Sears on the left with an excellent pass. The former Colchester man then crossed to the Irish international, who hit a low shot which Green did well to save down to his left.

With nine minutes left on the clock Teddy Bishop replaced the tiring Huws in the Town midfield with nine minutes.

On 85 Knudsen was booked for hauling back Barrow and while the Whites prepared to take the freekick they swapped Wood for Souleymane Doukara.

As the match moved into its final scheduled minutes Leeds were having a lot of the ball without doing anything with it with the Blues looking more dangerous when they broke forward. On 89 Bru screwed a shot well wide from distance.

Kieffer Moore replaced the again excellent McGoldrick as the game moved into two minutes of injury time but the winning goal Town would have deserved never came.

The Blues were given a warm ovation by their supporters at the final whistle after another impressive performance against another side from the Championship’s upper reaches.

Town created plenty of chances in the second half, while Leeds had a lot of the ball but with Bialkowski not forced into making a save after the break with Berra keeping Wood in check.

Huws was again impressive in midfield, while McGoldrick's excellent display was missing only a goal, but there were excellent performances throughout a Town side which is growing in confidence.

The two draws in a few days ends the Blues' run of matches without recording the same result in successive matches at 29, a new club record.

The Blues remain 13th - 11 points from relegation and 17 from the play-offs - ahead of next week's East Anglian derby at Norwich, who lost 2-1 at Burton Albion today.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Kenlock, Skuse (Bru 60), Ward, Huws (Bishop 81), McGoldrick (Moore 90), Sears. Unused: Gerken, Emmanuel, Smith, Pitman.

Leeds: Green, Ayling, Bartley (c), Jansson, Beradi, Vieira (Bridcutt 46), O’Kane, Sacko (Barrow 77), Hernandez, Dallas, Wood (Doukara 86). Unused: Silverstri, Cooper, Roofe, Pedraza. Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire). Att: 18,745 (Leeds: 2,113).

Photo: TWTD

Bert added 22:24 - Feb 18 Strange old world where people on here are so concerned about who votes them up or down. Couldn't care less. My only interest is that our team makes progress and that those who attend matches do their best to encourage the players and not slate them in such personal terms as we have witnessed this year.
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warktheline added 22:26 - Feb 18 @washbrookblue, your another who quickly likes to paper over cracks ! Will keep an eye for your posts if , and let's hope not when, McCarthy reverts back to type when one it two of the boys currently in team dip in form!
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BrettenhamBlue added 22:43 - Feb 18 Sounds like we played really well so well done to the team. I was only able to keep an eye on the scores this time round with particular interest in us and the Wigan game. Could be one of the biggest derby games in years. A win for us and Norwich are going to find getting that 6th spot very tough. A loss and a couple of wins for Wigan and we'll find ourselves in a relegation battle again. Still 13 games left and plenty to play for, and seen teams at the bottom put in a string of wins in their last few games before. We are not out of relegation danger yet. But good to hear the team is playing well!

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Gcon added 22:58 - Feb 18 bluey123 - Doesn't sound like you watched the game today. Or any of the last few games. Yet happy to continue to trot out your embittered comments.
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jjhbruno added 02:55 - Feb 19 Swn98... muppet
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Swn98 added 07:18 - Feb 19 Jjhbruno expand your theories!
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Swn98 added 07:32 - Feb 19 Dissboy I thinks it more because he's had options due to the new signings to move things about injuries to key players and general lack of skills of some of the squad have been our failings this year.
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Swn98 added 07:35 - Feb 19 Bluesmachine Wark the line, Prebsa jjibruno by marking my comment down I take it you don't agree that it was a nice touch to mark SBR 84th Birthday.
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jjhbruno added 07:46 - Feb 19 That's what I've discovered after this match
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jjhbruno added 07:49 - Feb 19 And yes swn98. We all hate bobby robson. That is clearly what we are trying to say.
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martin587 added 08:24 - Feb 19 Great result,a game we should have won.The team are getting better each game,well done.👍
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grumpyoldman added 08:39 - Feb 19 Here we go again because somebody disagrees with a comment that person is a muppet, insults start again. My only disagreement with Swn98 is the applause was in 84th minute not 89th as it is the anniversary 84th of the messiah's birth. As for will MM stay or go, if he goes I will return next season, if he stays I may never return, others I speak to feel the same.
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martin587 added 09:25 - Feb 19 Everybody is entitled to there own opinion on MM,BUT for me I support the club I love and I won't let a manager deter me from going whoever he is. I may not agree with his tactics,substitutions,interviews etc,etc,but as iv'e said I will remain loyal to the club. Roll on next Sunday and let's hope we can beat Norwich whatever team is picked.🤔 I must say wonderful applause for Sir Bobby,what a Hero he was.

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dirtydingusmagee added 09:50 - Feb 19 Welll done lads, good team effort, im pleased for Freddie Sears , who really has had a lean time and through no fault of his own .He may now get back to his old self and score more.Things have IMPROVED. The concern for me though is that the improved form is down to the addition of loan players,this is not the way to progress.That aside im thankful we will at least stay up ,i would just like to see us win Sunday against Norwich,that would cheer everyone Town supporter up .COYB .MM this will be your chance of redeeming yourself with a lot of fans ,LETS DO IT ..

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BlueMachines added 10:01 - Feb 19 Swn98. I don't believe that was Green's intention. And, as pointed out 84th minute not 89th. Plus, I just don't agree with most things you say.
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Swn98 added 10:06 - Feb 19 Mistype 89th minute sorry I've stated 84thminute in my other posts. I've come to the conclusion that no matter what the results or the style of results the news comments section is a very negative place to be bar a few posters of course.
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Swn98 added 10:09 - Feb 19 Bluemachine just as well it adds to a healthy debate.
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runaround added 10:11 - Feb 19 Sounds like a decent performance & unfortunate not to win. Things have been better this month but we need to keep it going. The next 3 or so months are vital for the club to start to win back the fans they are likely to lose who had enough of negative tactics & boring football. The way to do that is attacking football trying to win instead of trying not to lose & bringing through youngsters who are good enough. It feels like club is aware of this but still a long way to go

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cat added 10:13 - Feb 19 Attended yesterday's game and have to say it was a vast improvement on the games I attended last year, but in all honesty I can't say I was blown away! Great performance by Mcgoldrick, and great to see Freddie banging one in but I was disappointed by the backs to the wall finish when we should have just gone for it . 3 draws and 1 win in February is very respectable but only in the light of what was a awful January. Relegation is still a topic and in reality it should be about the playoffs!. It will be interesting now to see how MM's selection policy will shape up for the remainder of the season as his favourites now have very good competition for there places. Walktheline- superb post, best read of the dayI completely agree with your thoughts, I was tempted to copy and paste and add it to mine!!!!!.

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BillBlue added 10:49 - Feb 19 Swn98 - No way would you be able to stress me out but there is one thing you dont understand, I like the truth! There used to be a guy on here who never stopped posting with the sole intention of winding other posters up, I believe he called himself Essexboy! On one occasion he made thirteen posts and contradicted himself so I pointed this out to him. Do you know what when he realised the truth and what a fool he had made of himself he disappeared, lost without trace! Funnily enough the following week a new guy arrived on the scene who called himself Swn98 and who makes as many posts (nine so far in this article) and sets out to be rude to people he doesn't understand and changes his arguments to suit the occasion and who upsets most people. Funny old thing! Looks very likely they are one and the same..

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warktheline added 11:09 - Feb 19 Swn, are you that idiotic to assume your down marks are because of your Sir Bobby acknowledgement! Re read if you're capable, something highly debatable! Where's Bohslegend, our very own FR David! By his own admission 'words don't come easy' when the almighty McCarthy fails to win a game! Well considering we've only won 2 in some 11 games, it's been tough on the fella! Hopefully draws are excluded! C'mon lad, step forward ,swallow that lump in your throat, and give us your 'rosy spec' account on the latest proceedings!

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Dissboyitfc added 11:09 - Feb 19 swn... agreed the new signings have been a help, but if we hadn't moaned as you put it, he would still be sticking with his different class mates and playing players out pf position. Examples are Douglas on the pitch, Chambers at RB when he could have signed Jordan Spence earlier in the season but didn't because he had chambo in that position. I have never and i never will condone the booing of individual players its wrong and does not help the cause, however those of us that have made it clear that we will not stand the boring hoof-ball rubbish anymore with playing mates and players out of position and out of form favourites, have been right in our actions and for now at least, we have a team playing better football with square pegs in square holes. Jordan spence was Immense yesterday, long while since we had a proper RB/ RWB. It makes a big difference having specialists in there proper positions does it not? So i think a pat on the back is due to the moaners, although i prefer to call them, supporters who know what they want are prepared to demand it!

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grumpyoldman added 11:10 - Feb 19 Why is it when people complain they are being negative? If you do not like something should you endure it or attempt to change it? Should you except nothing can be done or suggest changes? If you do not like a manager have you the right to voice an opinion against others views? Surely constructive criticism is a positive. People who support MM may not like those who knock him but they also want a positive future for our club and do not believe he can take it forward given his past record. Since he started are we really any nearer to the promised land or do we look like getting even close in the foreseeable future? Please take time to reflect on that before calling us non-believers negative, maintaining the status quo is not always the answer.

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martin587 added 12:05 - Feb 19 Grumpy old man, I respect your opinions with regard to MM,and yes I'm not a fan of his,but I love this club and would NOT let a manager however good or bad he is stop me from watching my team.I just cannot understand your point of view,but I respect it though.We live in a free democracy,this is what makes this site interesting.
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chevvymalc added 12:10 - Feb 19 Well done and well played and to note although losing we actually put more goals past Lincoln than the other cup teams so far, I know clutching at straws but a moral victory at least!!
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