Town face an FA Cup third round replay at Preston after drawing 1-1 with the League One Lilywhites at Portman Road. Sub David McGoldrick followed up to score in the 38th minute after having a second penalty in a week saved with Kevin Davies equalising for the visitors four minutes later.

Boss Mick McCarthy made seven changes with Scott Loach, Tyrone Mings, Carlos Edwards, Luke Hyam, Anthony Wordsworth, Frank Nouble and debutant Sylvan Ebanks-Blake all starting in a 4-4-2 formation — with Mings at right-back and skipper Edwards ahead of him in midfield - rather than the anticipated 3-5-2 system.

Tommy Smith (back), Daryl Murphy (thigh), Dean Gerken (groin) dropped out of the 18, while Cole Skuse, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Paul Anderson switched to the bench, alongside top scorer McGoldrick.

Ebanks-Blake hit an early shot on the turn but failed to test Preston keeper Declan Rudd, who is on loan from Norwich.

Wordsworth surrendered possession inside the Town half in the 11th minute with the Blues yet to get going. Fortunately, the midfielder, a Lilywhites loan target in November, was able to get back to block Iain Hume’s shot from a tight angle on the right.

A minute later, Paul Gallagher curled a shot wide from the left with the visitors having the better of the opening spell.

Davies hit a low effort which Loach claimed comfortably in the 18th minute, then Ebanks-Blake used his strength to win the ball then struck a sharp shot from 30 yards which Rudd saw past his right post.

The visitors, in all yellow, should have been ahead in the 21st minute when Jay Tabb gifted possession to Davies on the Preston right. The former England man sent in a great ball which Hume diverted goalwards at the far post only for Chambers to nod off the line.

It was a lucky escape for the Blues who had been far too casual against League One’s fourth-placed side. A minute later, Nouble shot just wide from 25 yards.

Ebanks-Blake’s Town debut lasted just over 28 minutes, the former Wolves man sitting down in the centre circle and briefly receiving treatment before making way with McGoldrick taking over up front.

McGoldrick made a quick impression, hitting a shot which was deflected wide in the 33rd minute. Chambers headed to Rudd from the corner.

Mings saw a strike deflect wide in the 37th minute and from the resultant corner Town were awarded a penalty. Edwards sent the ball over from the right and Paul Huntington handled ahead of Nouble. Referee Michael Naylor pointed straight to the spot.

McGoldrick, who had a penalty saved on New Year’s Day when Charlton’s Ben Alnwick saved his low effort to his left, again stepped up, this time slamming a powerful strike to Rudd’s right. Again the keeper saved, but this time the Town top scorer followed up to net his 12th of the season.

The visitors were close to getting back on terms when Rudd’s long kick from the edge of his area — Nouble clattering into the keeper after the ball had gone, an incident which was missed by the officials — and Hume went through one-on-one with Loach, who did well to save with his legs.

But a Preston equaliser wasn’t long in coming. Mings was down injured when Lee Holmes played in Davies, who would have been well offside but for the prone Blues defender, and the ex-Bolton man slipped the ball past Loach.

The League One side were certainly worthy of at least being on terms at the break, even if their goal had an element of good fortune, the much-changed Blues having put in a thoroughly under par display.

McGoldrick had improved matters after coming on but his goal came against the run of play and with the Lilywhites having had the better of the chances up to then.

Town began the second half slightly more brightly, Mings cutting in and exchanging passes with Hyam before hitting a shot which deflected into the air to Rudd.

Referee Naylor felt Rudd had pushed McGoldrick’s 55th minute shot from the right wide, then from Cresswell’s corner the Blues’ top scorer couldn’t direct the ball goalwards.

Rudd definitely did save McGoldrick’s low shot from the edge of the area on the hour after Huntington and fellow defender Bailey Wright got in a tangle while trying to prevent Nouble getting on the ball.

Hume was sent away beyond the Town backline in the 65th minute but Berra and Chambers got back and the Canadian international’s strike deflected wide. Three minutes later the disappointing Tabb made way for Paul Taylor, who took over on the left.

On 68 Wright was booked for a wild challenge on Taylor eight yards outside the penalty area, Cresswell curling the freekick over.

Gallagher lashed well into the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand from the edge of the box in the 75th minute when he ought to have done better, then a minute later Cresswell did well to get in ahead of Davies from a deflected cross from the Preston left.

In the 78th minute Ryan Tunnicliffe replaced Wordsworth, who had been unable to impose himself on the game, while Preston swapped Hume for Joe Garner.

After what had been a largely drab half, the Blues finally started to put the visitors under pressure in the closing minutes. In the 88th minute what looked like a goalbound Nouble header from a Taylor cross from the right was blocked by a defender’s head.

A minute later, Nouble whipped the ball across from the right, McGoldrick turned it goalwards from six yards but Rudd reacted superbly to block.

As the game moved into injury time, the Lancastrians began to threaten to win it, Will Hayhurst hitting a shot which deflected wide. From the corner Davies’s effort was blocked, then sub Scott Laird, an Ipswich fan, was unable to keep his shot down.

Soon after, referee Naylor blew his whistle to signal an end with the sides set to try again at Deepdale with the replay provisionally pencilled in for a week on Tuesday.

If either team deserved to win it was probably Preston, who created the better of the opportunities and were certainly on top before the break with the scruffy second half having little in it.

Town were lacklustre for the most part with only the out-of-position Mings and keeper Loach making much of an impression of the fringe players given the chance to impress boss Mick McCarthy.

The fourth round draw is on Sunday at 2pm live on ITV after the Nottingham Forest and West Ham United tie and also on BT Sport.

Town: Loach, Chambers, Berra, Mings, Edwards, Cresswell, Hyam, Tabb (Taylor 68), Wordsworth (Tunnicliffe 78), Nouble, Ebanks-Blake (McGoldrick 28). Subs: Crowe, Anderson, Skuse, Hunt.

Preston North End: Rudd, Keane, Huntington, Wright, Davies, Holmes, Gallagher (Hayhurst 90), Buchanan (Laird 88), Welsh, Hume (Garner 68), Kilkenny. Subs: Stuckmann, Byrom, Beavon, Brownhill. Referee: Michael Naylor (South Yorkshire). Att: 13,534 (Preston: 359)

Photo: Action Images

Fatcatevans added 20:33 - Jan 4 Nouble and Hyam wouldn't get in any other championship side. They are devoid of a football brain. We should have played a first choice eleven and realised that Preston are s side on the up.
4

warktheline added 20:36 - Jan 4 I'm sure Mick won't be slow in coming forward when asking for additional players in the coming weeks.ME you need to back this manager for he knows how to get up out of this league.For me it's a shame most clubs don't take the FA Cup seriously.
2

Garv added 20:57 - Jan 4 Yet again Taylor didn't impress when he came on? He was our best player for goodness sake! Should have started. Awful today, just awful. Made Preston look like Barcelona. Berra to Nouble down the channel was the most common pattern of play. Not that he ever won the header. Nouble clattered their keeper and crossed for Mcgoldrick late on, that was about it. Tabb non existent. Wordsworth disappointing, though with far too much expectation from fans on his shoulders I should say. Mings impressive, especially out of position. Not a right back though. Hyam awful from the first minute, sorry. Scary how much better Mcgoldrick and Taylor are than everybody else.Taylor was the only one that really created anything second half. Classic Mcarthy performance really. Sorry if that upsets some people.

13

troyse added 21:21 - Jan 4 sorry but don't critise hyam he done ok critise tabb wordy nouble but not hyam or any of other they did ok sorry for spelling
-13

essextractorboy93 added 21:22 - Jan 4 I agree with lots of the people on here that it was very disappointing but lets not get too down, we are just on a bit of a bad run of performances, results haven't been too bad. Mick won't be happy though, in private he will know what needs addressing and where we need to improve. Preston look a decent side, although I don't think there is much between the top of League One and the bottom end of the Championship. We can win the replay though. COYB!

-1

blueboy1981 added 21:50 - Jan 4 garv - agree with every word of your post. Just doesn't bode well for the second half of the season unless there is radical improvement, but I guess the objective will be to not lose and to hell with the entertainment factor. Can see it being that way, although sincerely hope not.
6

thebeat added 21:57 - Jan 4 Careful garv dont get slagging Hyam off, his brother troyse is about. Seriously troyse are you his Dad or something? He could score 3 own goals, give 2 penaltys away and get sent off and youd still stick up for him!!
5

JWM added 22:02 - Jan 4 To the idiot who wants McCarthy out all I will say is just get a bloody life or a new football club as you obviously do not appreciate the massive progression we have made over the last 13 months. Yes today was disappointing but just look at the Leeds result against League 2 opposition! What today has shown is that we are desperately short of a quality squad and it is now up to Evans to spend some blinking dough in this window to allow Mick to add a few more quality players.

3

blueboy1981 added 22:11 - Jan 4 League position of 6th currently is an achievement, but I really cannot see ME being generally impressed enough, after throwing money at previous management incumbents, to release the purse strings to MM in January. If Evans has in fact been watching the last two home games - I think it highly unlikely he would have been impressed. Have to say that on the evidence of Charlton / PNE matches our League position does appear to be false. Time will tell.

6

blueboy1981 added 22:22 - Jan 4 JWM - What relevance is there in comparing our result / performance against others - just because another team fails it doesn't mean we have to accept same / similar. All it does is ease the pain perhaps - but basically it's an excuse. We need to be better that the last two homes games have proved us to be. Yes, there are people on this forum with strange views / opinions but they are entitled to their own without being called idiots, etc; etc.

2

blueboy1981 added 22:24 - Jan 4 ....... and please don't keep telling 'support' to go elsewhere - we need all we can get - not less.
4

JWM added 22:42 - Jan 4 Blueboy what you conveniently wish to ignore is the fact that MM saved us from certain relegation and in the space of just 1 year has turned us into a highly competitive team on next to no money! Just what the hell do you expect? More miracles by the sounds of it! We are a work on progress and it will take time to repair all the damage that has been done of the last 6 years! SO my advice is to be patient, get some perspective and stop your bloody whining!

3

rollercoastertown added 00:59 - Jan 5 If the last two games have proved anything, it is that although MM may have built a team, he still has plenty of work to do to build a squad. But given time, he will.
3

Elizabeth added 08:57 - Jan 5 I have read through most of these comments but oh dear what a dreadful performance! Apart from the last ten minutes of the game , where was the commitment and belief.Midfield was appalling with no creativity whatsoever. Too many changes today! Will be interesting who plays in the replay which we could do without.
6

Pip50 added 09:00 - Jan 5 Yes he saved us from relegation yes he has had no transfer, but much wage budget, to spend on his connected players, doesn't get away from the inept tactics and inability to change things to get a result. Whose fault is it we have a rusty squad. Should resign now having reached a peak let someone else kick on and test the financial metal and desire of our owner to support a drive for Premiership football and not hide behind fair play rules Derby, Leicester, Forrest, QPR seem to be able to juggle the numbers. We will progress no further with this manager, exit in first round of both cups and 13th beckons!!

-3

Cloddyseedbed added 10:07 - Jan 5 I think we have serious problems with what has happened in English football. The fans love FA cup football, the crowds are down however as the top 2 leagues in this country do not like playing FA cup football and obviously do not need the revenue from a cup run - despite carrying on about lack of funds. The attitude by the clubs stinks and that includes Ipswich. Supporters pay the money to want to go to a game and see their team play well and be 100% committed to progress into the next round. We do not want to go and see a weak team of players who do not seem to care much about their own careers let alone winning the tie and trying hard. The game at Ipswich was absolutely shocking yesterday and anyone who says it wasn't, well you too are contributing to the demise of English football if you accept your team putting out a team like that and playing as badly as that. You can make up all the excuses you like but if you are playing with an Ipswich shirt on your back you must be committed or move on. There seems to be a few of yesterdays players who have now been given ample opportunity to show their worth to the club and have failed themselves and the club. Move them on.

6

spanishblue added 10:27 - Jan 5 Jwn I'm with you some people have no idea.May be they,d rather be shef. Utd they progressed yesterday but where are they Paul lambert unfortunately has it right another good manager no money keeps his kids in holy grail of the premier league what will happen to man utd. If they fail to get euro cup money next season the rats will be leaving in droves without MM we would be playing Coventry mk dons and others so shut up and be glad we have a manager who does a brilliant job with small money we are not that far away

-2

TimmyH added 10:50 - Jan 5 Yep Mick the saviour - he saved our souls from relegation! and of course no other manager could have done it we were in such a mess - rubbish! yes we were in a mess but largely down to the ineptitude of Paul Jewell not actually the players we had. Not arguing Mick hasn't done a good job since he's been here as that would be silly but some people harp on as if we were destined to be relegated at that time in November unless Mick hadn't come here. Re: yesterday and the results I feel the above post shows that some of the lower league teams take it more seriously what ever their status rather than the Premiership and Championship teams until they get to nearer the last 8 or so, let's be honest it's all about money these days and concentrating to get promoted or if your nearer the bottom of your league staying in it, the FA/League Cup comes secondary though sadly this shouldn't be the way. Re: Yesterdays performance is just another in a line of fairly poor home one's, a poster on this thread mentioned that we are a difficult team to work out if we are good or not and I totally agree. I honestly don't feel we're a good team, we don't play good attractive football but what we have been good at under Mick is being reasonably well organised. Should be interesting to see how we perform in the second half of the season, I thought somewhere between 8-10th at the beginning of the season but honestly feel 6th is as high as we'll go, a lot of other teams below us in the mix.

3

blue added 10:50 - Jan 5 HEY GUYS WE ARE IN THE DRAW FOR NEXT ROUND , LOOK ON THE BRIGHTSIDE AND UP IN TOP 6 , MM AND THE LADS KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE CMON YOU BLUES :) POSITIVE THINKING.
1

cossy81 added 10:58 - Jan 5 Disappointing result,they didn't look interested.I love the cup and always will but of the 14 of us that meet up before games only two of us were there.I agree with what Mick Mills said on Radio Suffolk last week,you don't need to rest players because all the training you need when you have 3 games in a week is the games themselves,you give the players days off to rest.Perhaps i should try and go home from work after an hour and a half and see what my boss thinks! i take it all the cup haters won't come if we get through and face Man utd or the scum then?

4

blueherts added 11:17 - Jan 5 needed a midfielder in there today to take charge - shows our lack of strength in depth I think Skuse and Tunners add more - I think we will beat QPR with Hunt Tunners and Skuse in Midfield
1

RRanger added 12:28 - Jan 5 Yes we were awful yesterday bu t,for me , there was one enormous positive. I think we have a future star on our books in Tyrone Mings and every effort should be made by MM to find a way to keep him in the side. I loved his rampaging runs forward and he plays as if he is still enjoying every minute of being on the field (unlike a lot of the pros today) Maybe its because he has been plucked out of non-league football but he seems to play with no fear. He has pace, can dribble and looks like he has a shot in him. Yes he is left footed but not as bad as Murphy for instance. Why couldn't he be converted to a midfielder or maybe a role in front of the defence with a licence to make the occasional attacking foray. Lets face it we don't have any attacking midfielders who score goals - a necessity in my opinion for a successful side. How about a diamond formation of Mings, Tunnicliffe/Hunt, Skuse and Taylor playing behind Mcgoldrick and Murphy/SEB. Lets face it we are not going to pick up that midfield general in the Jan transfer window even if ME did let MM have a bit of money. They are few and far between and most of them are in the Premiership.

2

blueboy1981 added 14:46 - Jan 5 JWM - who's disputing MM 'saved' us from relegation as you put it ? - not me - but you cannot keep harping on about that, it's gone and we move on to better things - or should do. Or should we keep praising 'Mick' every other day for the next 12 seasons - and stand still ? Maybe that would make you happy - worrying thing is that you would not be alone in being happy with that !

1

JWM added 15:28 - Jan 5 Blueboy you would be right IF we were standing still but correct me if I'm wrong, aren't we sixth in the division compared to being 17th last season? This team is evolving BUT like anything worth doing it will take time and even a little investment in players. For those clowns who want Mick out I just want to ask who would come here given the current financial constraints we are under and do a better job? I really think that some people on here need a big reality check and realise the huge progress we have made rather than to constantly undermine and nit pick at every disappointing result! Just get things into perspective and see the bigger picture that's all I'm saying!

1

Jimmy86 added 18:56 - Jan 5 Missed the game yesterday due to work commitmments, but judging by the general consensus on here I didnt miss a great deal. Managed to listen to the last half hour or so on radio and by sounds of it the fringe players didn't really take their chances. Wasn't greatly impressed by tabb on new years day, so not totally suprised he didnt impress today, but was woody as disappointing as has been made out?? was impressed with taylor against charlton, we certainly moved the ball around well with him in the team. would like to see more of him. hopefully get back to winning ways against QPR, but that will be tough. need a change in mentality and I hope we will do some business in the window and that evans will back mick to help with the final push. midfield is clearly a problem.

1

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls