Huddersfield came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Blues at Portman Road. Tommy Smith put Town ahead in the 21st minute, Christophe Berra made it 2-0 on 55 but Nahki Wells pulled one back via a contentious 70th minute penalty and then equalised eight minutes from time.

Smith, Teddy Bishop and Luke Hyam returned to the Town side for Jonny Williams and Kevin Bru, who suffered knocks at Cardiff on Tuesday, and the suspended Tyrone Mings, who picked up his fifth booking of the season against the Bluebirds.

Skipper Luke Chambers switched to right-back with Smith coming in at the centre of the defence and Jonny Parr moving to left-back.

Neither side threatened seriously in the opening minutes but on 13 the visitors, who lined-up in a 3-5-2 formation against the Blues regular 4-3-3, ought to have been ahead through former Canary Grant Holt, who had already been on the end of boos from the home support.

Huddersfield right wing-back Tommy Smith blocked a Parr clearance midway inside the Town half and fed Jacob Butterfield, who in turn played in Holt on the left of the area. Dean Gerken advanced and Holt tried to lift it over the Blues keeper but scuffed the ball well wide.

It was a very lucky escape for Town who had been well and truly carved apart and a bad miss from a Terriers perspective.

The visitors were made to rue that miss in the 21st minute when the Blues went in front with their first shot on goal.

Bishop - who had hit the first defender with two earlier corners - sent over a flag-kick from the left and returning Town centre-half Tommy Smith nodded home from close range at the near post to record his first goal of the season.

There was a scare for the Blues on the half hour when one-time Town trialist Wells nipped in as Gerken waited for a Conor Coady ball forward to reach his hands on the edge of the area on the Town left. Berra did well to prevent the Bermudian getting on to the loose ball and Gerken gratefully claimed.

Huddersfield had an even better chance on 34 when Paul Dixon brought the ball forward after seizing on an aimless Tommy Smith header on halfway and played into the area towards Holt.

The former Norwich man left the ball for Wells, who found himself in on goal six yards out but hit his shot at Gerken’s feet and then headed his instinctive rebound over. Whether the ex-Bradford man was onside was questionable.

The Town goal had led a charmed life but on 42 the Blues were close to increasing their lead. Bishop’s freekick from deep on the left flicked off Daryl Murphy’s head and hit Smith and struck the post and the Blues defender was just unable to add a final touch before Terriers keeper Alex Smithies grasped hold of the ball.

As the half moved into injury time Huddersfield threatened again, Butterfield hitting a distance effort which Gerken pushed away to his right for a corner.

The Blues were more than a touch fortunate to find themselves in front at the break, the visitors having played the better football and created the best chances,

The Terriers really ought to have gone in front via Holt prior to Smith putting Town in front with the Blues’ first chance of the game, while Wells twice had decent opportunities to equalise.

Town threatened first after the break, McGoldrick making the most of some hesitancy in the Huddersfield defence and cutting a ball back from the left towards Conor Sammon but a defender blocked.

Three minutes later Skuse, Bishop and Hyam exchanged passes on the right and carved out an opportunity for Sammon just inside the area but the Irish international looped his shot well over.

Town had started the second half the stronger side and on 55 they increased their lead. A corner from the right was cleared to Parr midway inside the Huddersfield half.

As the Terriers’ defence rushed out the Norwegian found McGoldrick on the left of the area from where the striker cut the ball back to Berra, who turned home his fourth goal of the season from a couple of feet.

Holt headed a Dixon cross from the right over just before the hour. Moments later, Chambers sent over a ball from the Town right towards Murphy, but Mark Hudson headed behind.

On 63 the Terriers swapped Lee Peltier and Jonathan Hogg for Sean Scannell and Harry Bunn as they looked to get back in the game, switching from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2.

Three minutes later, Coady cut in from the right and shot well over, then at the other end Smithies was out quickly to head clear as McGoldrick chased after Chambers’s ball forward. On 89 Hyam was booked for the latest in a series of fouls.

The Terriers pulled a goal back in the 70th minute from the penalty spot. Chambers was penalised for apparently fouling Holt as Butterfield’s cross came into the area from deep on the right.

The Town skipper was adamant he had been the one fouled but referee Richard Clark wasn’t interested and added Chambers’s name to his book. Wells smashed a low penalty to Gerken’s right and into the net.

The momentum was very much with the visitors after the goal and on 73 sub Bunn latched on to Holt’s flick at the far post and Gerken did well to spread himself to block.

Two minutes later, Town boss Mick McCarthy swapped Jay Tabb and Paul Anderson for Sammon and Bishop and switched his side to 4-4-2. Soon after, Skuse was booked for a foul on Dixon, the Terriers defender having made a lot of the challenge.

With eight minutes of scheduled time remaining Huddersfield equalised. Scannell brought the ball in from the right before laying it back to Smith, who sent in a cross to the edge of the six-yard box from where Wells headed home his second of the game.

The visitors had been on top since their penalty and they continued to press having got back on terms, Wells shooting over after good work from Bunn, who along with fellow sub Scannell had made a significant impression on the game.

Stephen Hunt replaced Hyam with five minutes left on the clock but the Blues never looked like getting back on top with Huddersfield looking the more likely winners in the closing stages. The final whistle was greeted by boos.

Having been 2-0 ahead Town will be disappointed to have drawn their second home game in a week. However, on the overall balance of the game and chances created, they were probably fortunate not to lose having played little better than they did in the second half at Cardiff - aside from a spell just after half-time - and having had few chances aside from the two goals.

The key moment in the game was the penalty, which appeared contentious at best. Had Huddersfield not scored at that point then the Blues may well have gone on to claim all three points.

However, the visitors had been the better side in the first half and showed spirit to come back from what seemed a hopeless position to take the point and may well have gone on to win. The result sees the Blues, who are now without a win in five, drop to 10th.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Parr, Skuse, Hyam (Hunt 84), Bishop (Anderson 74), McGoldrick, Murphy, Sammon (Tabb 74). Subs: Bialkowski, Bajner, Clarke, Ambrose.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Smith, Peltier (Scannell 63), Dixon, Hudson (c), Lynch, Hogg (Bunn 63), Butterfield, Coady, Holt, Wells. Subs: Murphy, Ward, Wallace, Robinson, Paterson. Referee: Richard Clark (Northumberland). Att: 16,751 (Huddersfield: 486).

Photo: Action Images

marco007 added 18:05 - Oct 25 RealIt's check....we are where we are and mid table is about the best we can hope for this season. Once again our midfield fires blanks and I am not really sure what Sammon offers?? The football continues to be pretty dull and uninspiring....and the squad is a team of battlers that ultimately lack the real quality to push on into the promotion mix. We are hanging on by our fingertips due to a lack of quality in this division and the fact that so many teams are equal. If you want to see quality football watch El Classico :)

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NSL added 18:06 - Oct 25 Can someone tell me what Skuse actually contributes to the side? And as for Connor Sammon well that's a bit of a joke surely!
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EssexTractor added 18:08 - Oct 25 Another disappointing day. In fairness Huddersfield by far and way the better team did not deserve to lose. They had pace, a better determination, and although it might be argued they benefitted from some dubious refereeing, any first time visitor would have assumed they were the home side. They out muscled us in all departments and out skilled us when they were 2. 0 down, their confidence seemed to grow, at a time when we should have been bossing the game and going for a third. But players and fans alike seemed flat despite that lead. We were it has to be said fortunate to have that 2. 0 lead. I would not blame any single player. But I believe only Berra came out with a mark better than 6/10.It was a collective responsibility that failed and no one on the pitch or off it could provide the required inspiration. So have we flattered to deceive? We have become insipid, and continue to lack quality in what I consider to be the most important area, midfield. Despite the number of midfielders on the books, we have no generalissimo, we do have a clutch of journeymen , all of whom can of course have a very good game but most of whom are more prone to deliver performances more akin to ordinariness. Our saving grace during this current run of draws is that the majority of Championship teams are not measurably better than us and are also guilty of inconsistency and so we continue to be in the mix, but we do need to regain our "mojo" pretty quickly.

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Chicago_Blue added 18:09 - Oct 25 WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY DOES MICK NOT LEARN??!! HAS HE NOT REALISED YET, AFTER THE UMPTEENTH TIME, THAT WE CANNOT DEFEND LEADS??!! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THE SUBS AND SHAPE CHANGE AT 2-1. I AM UTTERLY BAFFLED. HOW MANY TIMES IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE MICK REALISES??!! BUFFOON!
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hancockingoal added 18:12 - Oct 25 Despite being 2 goals up, at the end of the day it was a point gained rather than 2 points dropped! You can slag off Holt and criticise a poor referee but the facts are we are not good enough. The midfield was woeful today, Bishop has potential but is anonymous for most of the game. Skuse gives us virtually nothing offensively, Hyam is the most effective but mostly in a defensive role. How we missed Mings today, Parr never crossed the half way line, and Chambers is not a full back. The front three were starved of service and overall we lacked pace and creativity. I think today showed our true level, mid table, just average? I don't think it is all big Micks fault, the quality of players we need, either are not available or completely outside of our price range? With a lot of luck we might sneak into 6th place but I won't hold my breath.

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dannyrr added 18:13 - Oct 25 We were lucky not be losing by halftime as we got lucky on a number of occasions. Too many players guilty of giving the ball away. The referee and linesman were awful too. Every time Grant Holt went over he got a foul even when it was a result of his own pushing and shoving. We have learn to attack and not continually defend. We went from winning a corner to going back to our defence in our own half. We missed the work rate of both Joniesta and the pace of Tyrone Mings. We played a lot of headball tennis and as much hoofball. To be honest we were lucky to get a point from today. We had no one on the bench that would have made a difference to the game. When will MM learn to make substitutions that make a difference at the right time. Huddersfield substitutions made a difference ours didn't. An awful game and another 2 points lost from a winning position.

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essextractorboy93 added 18:22 - Oct 25 We are on a bit of a poor run at the moment but the positive is at least we are still picking up points. Mick will sort this out! Made so much progress as a club in the last 2 years. Let's react with a positive result at Blackpool! COYB!
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Juanforthemoney added 18:23 - Oct 25 3 in midfield is okay if you are playing the right players ( that should include a creative player who can influence the game) sadly we didn't today but can't fault the effort. Does Gerken have his feet super glued to his 6 yard line as he seems incapable of moving from it?
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mrmorisato added 18:27 - Oct 25 I'm both unhappy with the result and disappointed with the performance, the game changed when Mick brought off Bishop who was key to our central midfield guard and Sammon who was making a nuisance for the Huddersfield's back line mid way through the 2nd half. I think Smith should have occupied the left back position with Chambo in the middle as Tommy hasn't had much football and it showed :( Mick won't change for no one but we need to stop adopting a defensive mentality when we go 1 or 2 up in any game, another 2 points thrown away. #sadtimes

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therein61 added 18:30 - Oct 25 let's real here guys we are having a blip after a great unbeaten run it happens to all teams throughout a season, my real concern is that MM has blinkers on re Skuse who to me is a liability he collects and get's rid a.s.a.p. thinking that's me done!? he continually hides when the midfield battle starts we have more options in midfield re bite and creativity, he is my only concern as I am convinced that we will get back on another run sooner rather than later so onwards and upwards the blues even if my beer at Paddington is not tasting as well as it should.

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brittaniaman added 18:34 - Oct 25 TO think Huddersfield were struggling to find a win early in the season !! NOW LOOK AT THEM, way ahead of a lot of teams in this division !!!! No Manager of the month this time MM, We are certainly feeling the curse of it lately ???? 3pts from 12. Powell knew what he was doing when he changed his subs to get anything from the game !!! Our players worked hard enough we cannot fault that,, but we lacked the quality to contain the game..!!!1

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oldegold added 18:38 - Oct 25 We are simply not going to be near the promotion stakes above all playing this sterile and dull soccer.I have been saying it for ages now and even in the September period when we could nothing wrong. We play a soccer which is at best, solid, and at worst the crudest form of safety-first, hoof it up type and under MM it will not change.He simply cannot adapt to changing circumstances in the game in a positive and more dynamic way but relies on "defending" leads. He may have turned the ship around in these two years but we will not go further. Oh how I miss the attacking style we had under Robson, Burley and Royle and played the Ipswich way. This is filistine soccer played by a bone-headed stubborn manager. Once again mid table mediocrity beckons...

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whosroundisitanyway added 18:41 - Oct 25 What a bunch of knobs there are on here, cant be bothered with them anymore. And for all of you f---ing idiots who were booing at the game today, crawl in hole & stay there. Don't need you at Portman Rd, we need Ipswich Town SUPPORTERS. You obviously don't know what that means. Signing off for good.
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StowTractorBoy added 18:41 - Oct 25 Easy to be wise after the event but why did we make 3 changes at the back when one would have done. Chambers is not a right back and we paid dearly today for him playing there. I would have been far more comfortable leaving Parr, Berra and Chambers where they were with Smith at left back. Have to be honest and say I thought we were fortunate to go 2-0 up but then to throw it away is really frustrating. In the end we could not have complained had we lost as not only should Huddersfield have been 2-0 up before we scored but they looked more likely to get the winner. Thank goodness Scannell and Bunn did not start the game although Wells was excellent and oh to have some pace like those three. Badly missed Williams today as we had no flair whatsoever in midfield and Sammon was ineffective. Another bad day at the office and time for Stewart and Henshall to at least be on the bench at Blackpool as they could do no worse than our substitutes today who are not change the game players.

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Elizabeth added 18:41 - Oct 25 Obviously missing Tyrone and Joniesta . Team unbalanced again.All I will say is Derby and Forest . This league.....
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HackneyBlue added 18:43 - Oct 25 The clocks go back tonight and town have gone back 18 months,that was a shocking performance ,no creativity,WHY PUT CHAMBERS RIGHT BACK,you would have been better putting Gerken there-MICK HE IS NOT A RIGHT BACK!!!!!!!!!!.Why have Skuse and HYam in same team-MICK IT DOES NOT, WILL NOT WORK!!!!!!!.Why combat them when they are losing,why not for once change to be positive not to combat a team.FINISH THE GAME FIRST

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jas0999 added 19:01 - Oct 25 Unacceptable but frankly fortunate to get a point. We were really poor and if anything Huddersfield deserved to win as they were the better team. I'm disappointed because I thought we had moved away from the very negative partnership of Hyam and Skuse at home. Worse, Tabb was introduced along side them, all but ending our attacking threat. There is no excuse, because despite injuries we had plenty of other midfield options. Sadly though, options is one thing we don't have up front or in defence. Can we seriously go a season with just 5 available defenders? Up front, it's always concerned me what will happen if Murphy or McGoldrick had off days. Today we can see the answer ... We have no other options. Sammon tries, but let's face it, he lacks quality, skill, pace and goals. Then there is Bajner, who Mick doesn't seem to rate. You can see why. This squad lacks the depth to challenge the top 6. With the first 11 on form and available we are decent, but past two weeks have demonstrated how we are lacking with just two key players missing. This needs to be urgently addressed, particularly with lots of games approaching.

5

Kirbmeister added 19:16 - Oct 25 My god the world has come to an end!! We have lost 1 in 10, are 2 points off the play offs and 5 off the top. Our team today cost nothing and we were without 2 of out best 3 players and had two others returning who were short of match practice. We didn't play well agreed but obviously should be thrashing each team we play and riding high at the top of the league!! I've lost it with the idiots on here! Agree with the other entry - I don't think i'll bother to look on here in future. Lets get MM and TC sacked then - Lee Clarke is looking for a job!!!

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blueherts added 19:18 - Oct 25 The fickle fan - One month ago we were the team that cost £10k but playing like a team that cost £10m plus This month we are playing well but then getting caught . Chambers should be CB with Berra Henshall and Stewart should be on the bench - a least one of them for bit of pace Hunt , Tabb - no comment But lets see where we are in December when we have played everyone Cannot believe Boos and negativity - we are a £10k team and sometimes we will play like one This league is bonkers when u look at Birmingham , Forest and some other results today ! Believe !!!

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blueherts added 19:18 - Oct 25 The fickle fan - One month ago we were the team that cost £10k but playing like a team that cost £10m plus This month we are playing well but then getting caught . Chambers should be CB with Berra Henshall and Stewart should be on the bench - a least one of them for bit of pace Hunt , Tabb - no comment But lets see where we are in December when we have played everyone Cannot believe Boos and negativity - we are a £10k team and sometimes we will play like one This league is bonkers when u look at Birmingham , Forest and some other results today ! Believe !!!

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Kirbmeister added 19:19 - Oct 25 Oh yes and don't forget to mark me down as I haven't slagged off the team.
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neillrumsey added 19:20 - Oct 25 I have held back after the last two games when we have tried to sit on a lead but today I again left PR a very disappointed man. At 2-0 up completely against the run of play I was not alone in my thoughts that there was no way we would win this match. Lets start at the back Gerken again getting himself in a pickle and NOT commanding his box at all. Par a let down on Tuesday and failed to turn up today along with Chambers. Huddersfield had quality wide players and were much better in possession of the ball. Midfield with the exception of Bishop who has quality and is forward thinking were woeful and as a result the strikers were feeding off scraps. Murphy for a player supposed to be playing his best football couldn't trap a bag of cement and other than a half decent strike second half gave nothing. Sammon at least worried defenders and forced errors but had little impact/ McG had top come so deep to get the ball but was effective when in possession and showed excellent touch and awareness for the second goal. Substitutions negative with all three showing nothing...What team is going to be scared by Tabb Anderson and Hunt. Lets get Henshall ,Stewart and Hewitt involved and inject some pace. This is boring stuff and the quality is almost non existent. Holt cheated all game but hey it works for him play to your strengths. 3 points a must against Blackpool. Still well placed but very poor....Rant over

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Lightningboy added 19:29 - Oct 25 +another 2 goals from our defence..that's as many as our entire midfield squad have managed in total ALL season - they should be embarrassed by that stat...we were crying out for a midfielder who could get 8 - 10 goals last season and that problem STILL hasn't been sorted. We need to start concentrating too,especially in the dying minutes..maybe Mick should forget about trying to waste time making subs in the last 10 minutes (when we're leading) and leave the players on the pitch to concentrate on what they're doing.

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suffolkpunch1978 added 19:34 - Oct 25 Gutted, gutted, gutted, We simply was out played today, lucky to get a point, salmon and skuse exceptionally poor, We are better than this.
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GGblocker added 19:40 - Oct 25 Second week running conceded when Anderson and Tabb come on . Ambrose would be better to bring on . Is Samon a footballer or a ballet dancer ?
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