Boss Joe Royle felt his side overplayed in their own half of the field having started well against Millwall in freezing conditions at Portman Road. The Blues began the match strongly, Owen Garvan putting them ahead on six, but allowed the Lions to get themselves back into the game.

Royle said: "We started so well and should have gone on to a convincing victory. We scored but then didn't have another shot for 30 minutes. We overpassed on a pitch not conducive to passing football.

"I want my players to pass the ball but in the opposition half. All our stars today were in defence. You shouldn't be asking your defenders to be the star men when you are needing to win home games.

"Still, Millwall are playing better than their position suggests. They are not one of the worst three sides in the league. I warned everyone not to be taken in by our short odds on the coupons and what people were expecting."

The Town manager felt there was a question mark about the Millwall goal which came from a corner after a freekick had been awarded for a foul by Fabian Wilnis. The Dutchman, who was booked for the incident, had appeared to have been the player fouled rather than the transgressor.

Royle said: "I give maximum marks to the referee but the goal followed what should have been a freekick to us, following a call by a Millwall player that the referee never heard.

"I can't criticise my players. We needed to win this match but if we can take the points at Preston on Tuesday we will make up for it."

Millwall boss David Tuttle was pleased with his side's display: "It was a fantastic performance.

"We started slowly. Ipswich were on top for 10 minutes but after that we coped very well and maybe deserved more than a point. All our players battled all the way through and all credit to them."

Former Blue Andy Marshall was singled out for special praise after saving from Danny Haynes: "Andy Marshall made a great save in the second half but that's what he's paid to do.

"We were on top at that stage so it would have been unfair if we had gone 2-0 down.

"All that matters is that we finish this season fourth from bottom because it is no good playing well and still getting relegated."

Tuttle says that his club will try to appeal against Tony Craig's second yellow card for timewasting in injury time: "I took the ball from Zak Whitbread and threw it to Tony to take the throw. I can't see how it can be Tony's fault."

Photo: Action Images

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