Boss Jim Magilton called on his players not to spend the summer regretting not reaching the play-offs after the Blues drew 1-1 with Cardiff City at Portman Road.

Magilton said: "These opportunities don't come very often and you need to grasp them.

"We are running out of games. I remember being in this position as a player. You think next week it will happen. You have got to make it happen.

"You have got to put your life on the line for 90 minutes. It's 90 minutes and you have got to show desire to win a game of football.

"I don't want them sitting on the beach in the summer thinking what might have been."

The Town manager was unhappy that Danny Haynes's late goal was disallowed, apparently for a foul either by Jason De Vos or Tommy Miller: "I don't really know why the referee gave the decision he did. It's landed and it's a great finish from Danny Haynes.

"You had two 6ft 3in defenders going for a ball and I'm sure Loovens did not expect to get the foul just as Jason wouldn't.

"It was poor decision I think. They say these things even themselves out over the season. I wish it would hurry up!"

The Blues boss was similarly critical of his side's defending for the Cardiff goal: "Their goal was dreadful defending - shambolic defending. We seem to gift goals we don't seem to be gifted."

Magilton was pleased that Jordan Rhodes netted his first Town goal and felt his side improved in the second half: "I'm delighted for Jordan, getting his first goal for the club. We put him on at the break because we needed a goal and he's a predator. He took his chance really well.

"We came off at half-time to boos and at the end to applause, so the players deserve credit for getting back in the game.

"The last 20 minutes of the first half we lost our shape and confidence and we can't afford to do that, but we played with more urgency in the second half and it was a much better display.

"I'm disappointed because we were at home and we've dropped two points but we are still in there fighting with a massive game to come on Sunday.”

Skipper Jason De Vos was similarly perplexed regarding the disallowed goal: "I asked the referee why he had disallowed the goal and he said it was a push.

"He didn't know who pushed who though and wouldn't have a conversation about it.

"I was right on top of the incident and I didn't see anything and we have watched it on the video and I don't see where the freekick is.

"That's three bad decisions we have been on the end of in the last three games with Danny's header being ruled out for offside at Colchester and the ball over the line against QPR."

Cardiff boss Dave Jones was delighted with his players despite the fixtures coming thick and fast: "I can't ask any more and my medical team are working overtime. If we can get through Saturday, then we've got a week. We need a good week.

"Just the occasion of Sunday has taken a lot out of them and then we come here today. The last three games have been full pelt with no rest.

"It was always going to be difficult for us. I felt we were in control of the game for long spells and then, maybe, a bit of desperation on their part undone us. They got a little ricochet which killed us.

"We are still in with a shout and, while we are in with a shout, we will keep going.

"It shows the character of the players. To come from Sunday is magnificent. If I'd had more players I would've given them all a rest but I couldn't. I asked the players to keep going and they are doing magnificent for me."

Photo: Action Images

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