Boss Jim Magilton was proud of his players despite the Blues' 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Town, watched by 6,000 fans including former players Fabian Wilnis and Jason Dozzell, were level at half-time before freekicks from Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard won the tie.

Magilton said: "This result won't define our season. We had some really good opportunities and played better in the first half.

"We scored a good goal from a set-piece and I am very pleased with the players overall.

"Chelsea have got world class players and when you give them opportunities on the edge of the penalty box, they will hurt you and that is what they did.

"They are a very good side but our pride is still intact, we'll take something from the game and move on.

"I am very proud of my players and the challenge now is to use this game and performance and build on it over the rest of the season, starting at Barnsley on Tuesday night.

"It has taken two fantastic freekicks to beat us, real moments of quality but the players gave everything for the blue shirt.

"We had 6,000 fans with us today and we didn't let them down. We didn't want to sit back, we had a real go and at 1-1 before half-time, we were creating chances. Danny had a good opportunity.

"The players have had a taste of what it's like at this level and they need to use the experience of today as an incentive for the rest of the season."

Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins said two-goal hero Michael Ballack was a concern prior to kick-off: "It was very doubtful whether Michael would make today. He took a nasty kick training, he was scanned on Friday and was very doubtful.

"But the professional in him meant he turned up still feeling extremely sore, but he really wanted to play.

"He was very good in the game. Michael covers probably more ground than anybody else in our side.

"When he goes forward he is extremely dangerous and the work he puts in for the team is untouchable."

Wilkins says Ballack and Lampard spend a lot of time working on set-pieces: "They do practice freekicks and they do so a lot.

"Because of the hours they put in, you see the end result. The two freekicks scored by Michael and Frank were just exquisite.

"Frank was magnificent and is a top quality footballer. When it was 3-1 he made a 75-yard sprint to make a tackle just over the halfway line.

"It just shows the professionalism of the guy and he works extremely hard at that level of fitness."

Photo: Action Images

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