Town remain top of League One following Tuesday evening’s fixtures but now only on goal difference from Wycombe Wanderers, although with two games in hand. The Blues face Rotherham at Portman Road on Wednesday.
The Chairboys, whose goal difference is five worse than the Blues’, drew 1-1 at Blackpool, while third-placed Peterborough and Fleetwood in fourth are in action tomorrow against Accrington at home and at Coventry respectively. Fifth-placed Oxford don’t have a midweek game.
Saturday’s opponents Southend United, who confirmed Sol Campbell as their new boss and ex-Blues defender Hermann Hreidarsson as his assistant coach earlier today, had a disastrous night.
The 23rd-placed Shrimpers were thrashed 7-1 by Doncaster Rovers, who are sixth, at Roots Hall having been reduced to nine men.
Ethan Hamilton was shown a straight red card for a high challenge in only the sixth minute, then Stephen McLaughlin followed him into the dressing room on 53. Both players will miss the Blues’ visit to Roots Hall on Saturday.
Elsewhere, former Town striker Daryl Murphy netted his first goal for Bolton as the bottom-of-the-table Trotters won 2-0 at Bristol Rovers, their first victory of the season, while Sunderland beat Tranmere Rovers 5-0 at home.