Daryl Murphy has revealed that Lee Martin, sent off in Town’s 1-0 midweek defeat at Nottingham Forest, wasted no time in apologising to his team-mates.

Martin was shown the red card towards the end of the first half and was followed by Richard Stearman, who collected a second yellow card in the 69th minute.

Despite being reduced to nine men, however, Ipswich were heading for their fifth clean sheet in seven games before an 84th minute shot by Lewis McGugan was deflected past Stephen Henderson to earn Forest a fourth successive win.

Murphy, a likely replacement on the left of midfield at Peterborough tomorrow as Martin starts a three-game suspension, said: “Lee has apologised and we move on.

“He knows it was stupid of him to do what he did, but you have to learn from these things. In the heat of the moment it is hard not to react but you have to hold it back and control yourself.

“Lee’s not really that type — he’s a great lad and I was really surprised when it happened. I didn’t see it at the time but I’ve seen it on television and it was clearly a stupid mistake by him.”

It was the third red card in Martin’s time at Portman Road and with both him and Stearman dismissed it was a tall order for Mick McCarthy’s men to hold on.

Murphy added: “It was a tough task for us and I’ve not seen the stats but they must be way up there with all the running we had to do.

“We battled away for so long with just nine men and I think the lads deserve a lot of praise for their effort in the circumstances.

“I was gutted that we were beaten. Even when we were down to nine men I couldn’t see them scoring to be honest. We held out for so long and then for a goal like that to go in was obviously very disappointing.

“The defence played so well and Hendo had pulled off a great save to keep them out. It’s tough when that happens but you don’t get time to think about it because the next game comes along so quickly.

“We now look to Peterborough, going there in a confident mood to produce a good display on the day and hopefully coming away with a result.

“I don’t know what the manager is thinking but it won’t be a problem if he asks me to replace Lee on the left side. I’m more than happy if the manager wants me to play there and do a job for the team.”

Photo: Action Images

Coco added 11:31 - Mar 8 “He knows it was stupid of him to do what he did, but you have to learn from these things"
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reaper added 11:45 - Mar 8 “I don't know what the manager is thinking but it won't be a problem if he asks me to replace Lee on the left side. I'm more than happy if the manager wants me to play there and do a job for the team.” He has such a great attitude, a real team player. I really hope we do sign him when his contract is up.
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mattraisin added 12:57 - Mar 8 Sign him up.
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jas0999 added 13:22 - Mar 8 Martin was plain silly. It's right he apologises, as he cost us dear. sadly, this is not teh first time Mr. Martin has let us down. I suspect his days are (rightly) numbered.
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BuckieBlue added 15:14 - Mar 8 Can't see this sending off doing his new contract hopes any favours especially with MM's post match comments.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 17:59 - Mar 8 "wasted no time in apologising". Oh good as long as he doesn't waste any time it's fine.
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Warkys_Tash added 20:27 - Mar 8 Having now seen the Martin sending off, the ref is having a laugh. It was so minimal what Lee did, in fact it was more a statement of 'get off' than anything else. If I would have been stood on & then knee'd in the back, that t**t Lansbury would have been carried off. The ref should have brandished the red card to him first. He knew Martin was our best player on the night and targeted him. Haters get off Lee Martins back, he is alright.

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theobald1985 added 20:58 - Mar 8 Warkys_Tash could not agree more. jas0999 martin hardly ever lets us down his effort and will to win is great i dunno what games your watching mate. he was are best player that night and never deserved a red anybody who suggests that its good for football for people to be sent off and the game spoiled for what lee did are off there head
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Steelmonkey added 21:10 - Mar 8 Minimal or not, the intent was there and the ref had to act on it. Perhaps Martin should turn these incidents to his and our advantage, instead of reacting in a violent manner turn the tables on the player who is actually doing the fouling, stay down and hold the injured appendage and lay it on thick, just as the player did to Stearman to get him sent off. Yes in my book that's cheating, but then we get penalised for not doing it. Look at the way Hyam gets up from some real shockers with out even battering an eyelid, playing the game fairly does not always pay these days.

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TimmyH added 09:48 - Mar 9 I'm sure lower league players could sign for us and give us equal commitment as Martin does, problem with Martin he does not have the quality...end of.
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