Daryl Murphy and his Town team-mates are still targeting an automatic promotion place even if they have surrendered valuable ground on fellow challengers Middlesbrough, Bournemouth and Derby in recent weeks.

Town trail leaders Boro by five points and the other two contenders by four, but with 16 games still to play there is still plenty of scope for them to close the gap and claim a Premier League return for the first time since 2002.

Asked if the top two places remained the end-of-season goal, Murphy responded: “Yes, why not? We’ve been in the chase since near enough the start of the season.

“We’ve been there or thereabouts, not far off, and we got in there at one stage and stayed in for a while, so there’s no reason why we can’t. But we need to keep winning games.”

Town had failed to win in three league games prior to Tuesday’s 2-1 triumph over mid-table Sheffield Wednesday and Murphy, who headed a 52nd minute equaliser to take his tally to 19 for the season, admitted: “It was a big win. I think we all knew that we had to get back to winning ways as soon as possible after a few games that we thought we maybe should have won and it was nice to get the three points.

“There wasn’t any pressure on us. You want to go and win every game you play but it’s not always the case and sometimes you are going to lose or draw. We needed a win and we needed it to come quickly because the games are running out and we want to get back a bit of momentum.”

Murphy was pleased to grab his goal having come close on a number of occasions before the break: “That was nice and I could have had a hat-trick in the first half if things had gone my way.

"I knew I would get another chance and it was just a case of taking it when it came.

“Freddie Sears set it up for me and overall he’s been brilliant since he’s come in. He’s looked sharp and lively from day one.

“He had to wait a while to get his first start the other night chance but in the games where he came on he did really well, always contributing something to the team.

“Not only did he make my goal against Wednesday, I thought he was a real handful until he went off near the end.”

Photo: Action Images

Superblue95 added 11:59 - Feb 13 Agree it was a much needed win Tuesday night and I'm delighted we've got back to winning ways so hopefully we can keep it up. However I think we will struggle to catch the 3 teams at the top and need the results to cement our play off place. That said it's good that the players still have the ambition of finishing top 2 and of course I wouldn't mind being proved wrong. COYB!!!

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hoppy added 12:02 - Feb 13 Also, apart from Derby who we've played twice, we still have to play Bournemouth and Middlesboro again, so wins in both of those and we're right back up there again.. I know Derby played Bournemouth the other day, but are they still to play Boro as well?
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walberswicks added 12:10 - Feb 13 I think we'll be lucky to end up top eight, can't see us winning anymore away games either. Goals are what gets you promoted and we've only got one player pitching in with them at the moment. Well done Daryl, come on the rest of you have a shot. Also, I don't think the beards or the tats are helping,
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bobble added 12:19 - Feb 13 if the players promise to chase and run for every ball every game till they no longer stand and give their absolute maximum every game..then yes we will be there in first place not 2nd..or 3rd..
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DurhamTownFan added 12:31 - Feb 13 Walberswicks: what the..? 'I don't think the beards of the tats are helping'. Ludicrous comment! i'm glad there's still the ambition and confidence in the club. Bring it on!
2

Bluejake added 12:45 - Feb 13 Hoppy, Derby still have to play Boro and Brentford at home.
0

PJH added 12:57 - Feb 13 But do you think the 54 points we have got so far is enough to save us from relegation walberswicks?
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paulthebluealien added 13:23 - Feb 13 Walberswicks Your comments are just aimed at causing a reaction. Stupid.
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walberswicks added 13:53 - Feb 13 paulthebluething Your comments are just a comment. Dull.
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paulthebluealien added 14:45 - Feb 13 I am so offended. You're not even fuelling a debate of any kind you're just offering nothing. The beard comment for example, are you just trying to amuse yourself? As for the article itself, why can't we make the top 2? I see no reason why we can't string another set of results together.
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tractorgrl added 15:02 - Feb 13 And there's me thinking we all support the same team, silly tractogrl! Handbags at dawn.
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PJH added 15:20 - Feb 13 tractorgirl-I think almost all of us on here do support the same team, not sure what the motives of one or two others are though.
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oddball added 16:21 - Feb 13 Top two :-) coyb. Great season.
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Hegansheroes added 16:50 - Feb 13 Agree with the beard comment-gives an indication of a player's integrity. The whole image of beard, tattoos & back & sides was from an intellectual left wing group of New Yorkers called Hipsters. Unfortunately it is a rather outdated fashion statement now but footballers are not exactly known for taste or intelligence. Bit like sheep. Don't care what Murph looks like as long as he keeps banging them in, he can cross dress for all I care.

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SamWhiteUK added 17:27 - Feb 13 Whoops, accidentally upvoted Walberswicks there. I think it should be apparent that no-one would actually do that deliberately with the rubbish (s)he's churning out.
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Gforce added 17:34 - Feb 13 Hegansheros Thank you Roy Cropper
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bohslegend added 18:21 - Feb 13 Hegansheroes are you one or two other posters as well?? Maybe Walberswick and Kesgraveblue?? You all sound the same to me. FOS.
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PJH added 19:32 - Feb 13 Congratulations to walberswicks for going past an accumulated total of minus 250 for posts to date.Certainly reflects the quality of the posts.
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WindsorBlue added 19:40 - Feb 13 @bohslegend don't leave out Pip50 and Warkthewalk. Utter nonsense they spout. Many are also Mick bashers, but don't provide any logic. If they could tell me who would take a definite relegation candidate, to a automatic promotion contender within two years and only £110000 in the purse, whilst playing beautiful free flowing football, with attacking midfielders by the dozen (don't every club want those, hence their price tag)...and of course Paul Taylor up front...I don't think Mourinho could do that! What irks me more is that as a ST holder for 25 years (living 115 miles away...and soon moving to Manchester) this is proving to be a great season after all the dross we have witnessed. People like this will be quick to try and get Mick out if we do get promoted, as it is almost inevitable we will struggle at best in the EPL...however who would be the best candidate to try and keep us there or take us back up should we be relegated...oh its MM!! Stop the negative bile that irritates the real supporters...we've seen poor seasons, and this is not one of them....rant over!

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irishtim added 19:45 - Feb 13 Well said windsorBlue.
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Gforce added 20:49 - Feb 13 WindsorBlue Totally agree with you. As other managers have already said i.e. Holloway/Gray/Evans ,McCarthy is probably the best manager in the championship.
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