Boss Jim Magilton admitted that Town reaching the play-offs is now very unlikely after the 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United. However, the Town manager vowed that there will be no let up in the final weeks of the season.

Magilton says a top six place is now very much against the odds: "It will need a miracle now for us to get in the play-offs.

"We wanted to be in the mix with five games to go, but that doesn't look like being the case now and that's very disappointing, but I won't allow the season to drift away.

"We're going to try to win as many games as we possibly can, but we obviously have to play a lot better than that.

"I won't allow a stroll towards a lovely end of the season. The players will be on their toes right to the finish."

Magilton said he had no explanation for the uncharacteristically poor away performance: "There was no indication going into the game. We looked ready, we looked sharp, I just think the first goal was very important.

"We have been good away from home this season but today we never matched that level. The first goal was poor, we know the lad Halford has a decent strike on him but we didn't close him down and he made us pay. The second goal was just poor defending all round.

"We didn't get enough ball into our front players and, although we were better in the second half and played with a bit more pride, we lacked that cutting edge again.

"At half-time we were very positive and knew the next goal was crucial, but we huffed and puffed and Sheffield United shut the game down and defended well.”

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell was delighted with his side's performance: "I thought in the first 45 minutes we were unplayable.

"[At the break] I said to the boys, 'Let's be as professional as we can and finish the game off', and in the second half I knew Jim and Ipswich had to go for it, because it was maybe their last chance to get in the play-offs.

"When we had to defend we did so very well, but we still had two or three great chances to finish it off, so all in all we're very pleased.

"All we can do is keep putting pressure on [the teams above]. I've been saying for quite a while now that it would be disrespectful and unprofessional if we don't give it a go.

"We're trying to catch them and put them under as much pressure as we can and if they trip up, hopefully we'll be able to take advantage of it. But it was a big three points today."

Photo: Action Images

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