Town missed a succession of second-half chances as they drew 1-1 at home with fellow play-off challengers Brentford. Daryl Murphy put the Blues ahead in the ninth minute via his 22nd goal of the season, Jonathan Douglas hit back for the Bees, before the Blues failed to take numerous opportunities to win it in the second half with Murphy missing a gilt-edged chance just after half-time.

Town boss Mick McCarthy recalled keeper Dean Gerken in place of Bartosz Bialkowski, one of four changes to the team which lost at Leeds.

While the back four was unchanges, Richard Chaplow came in on the right of midfield with Jay Tabb in the centre with Cole Skuse and Jonny Parr on the left. Murphy and Freddie Sears returned up front.

Brentford struck the first shot of the game in the third minute, one-time Town target Alan Judge cutting in from the left before hitting a low effort wide of Gerken’s right post.

As at Griffin Park on Boxing Day, Town scored with their first chance of the match, although on this occasion after nine minutes rather than 18 seconds.

Chaplow sent over a deep cross from the right, Christophe Berra nodded downwards towards goal, and Murphy added the final touch off the post at close range to claim his 22nd goal of the season and end his four-game mini-goal drought.

Four minutes after the Blues had taken the lead Sears was sent through the middle, battling with Liam Moore but was unable to shake the defender off and eventually his shot hit a defender.

The Blues kept up the pressure and on 13 Murphy almost made the most of Bees keeper David Button rushing out of his goal to the left chasing Tommy Smith’s long ball, but the Irishman hit his shot into the side-netting from a very tight angle.

On 15 Chaplow played Parr into a promising position on the left of the area but the Norwegian smashed his low shot across the face of goal.

Gerken, playing his first game since suffering a groin problem in the warm-up at Blackpool in November, was first called into action in the 23rd minute when he dived away to his left to claim Alex Pritchard’s 25-yard strike.

But two minutes later the visitors were on terms. Space was cleverly worked for Judge to cross from the right, Gerken superbly saved Stuart Dallas’s low far-post volley but Bees skipper Jonathan Douglas reacted quickly to nod home the rebound.

Brentford weren’t far from a second in the 31st minute when Judge got ahead of Parr to flick a Pritchard left-wing cross wide at the far post.

Two minutes later, the Bees failed to deal with a Tabb freekick in from the left but the ball just wouldn’t fall for Sears and then Mings. On 37 Pritchard picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Skuse.

The Bees had been on top since equalising but the Blues created an opportunity in the 38th minute, Sears crossing from the right to Murphy, who was just unable to work the ball into a position from which he could shoot.

There was controversy in the 41st minute when Murphy played in Parr from the right, sending the Norwegian through towards goal on the edge of the box where he was awkwardly felled by Moses Odubajo.

Referee Scott Duncan looked to have a big decision to make but instead pulled play back to penalise Murphy - perhaps for handball - much the surprise and annoyance of the home crowd.

The Bees went close to going in front soon, Andre Gray turning Pritchard’s cross from the right only just wide after Judge had seized on a weak Mings header.

Just before the break, Tabb broke quickly following a poorly worked Brentford corner, finding Sears on the right. The ex-Colchester man crossed low to Chaplow, whose shot was saved by Button and Tabb and Murphy were unable to get onto the rebound.

The 1-1 scoreline at the break was a reasonable reflection of a game which had swung one way and then the other with both teams having had chances to add to their goal.

The Blues might have had it sealed had they taken their opportunities straight after Murphy had put them in the lead, but the Bees came back into it and deserved their equaliser when it came and had chances to get themselves in front before the break.

Less than a minute after the restart the Blues should have been back in front. Parr escaped down the left of the area and cut the ball across to Murphy, who was a matter of feet out. But, with the goal gaping, somehow the Championship’s top scorer slid in and diverted the ball over the bar when a goal seemed certain.

A minute later, Sears saw a shot blocked, then after Town had made rather heavy weather of clearing a Brentford corner from the left, Douglas was booked for a foul on Parr.

The Blues should have got their noses back in front again in the 57th minute when Tabb found Berra in space on the left of the area following a corner. The Scottish international played a low ball across the six-yard box but no one was there to add the final touch.

Town continued to look the more threatening team, Mings pulling off a clever turn on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot through to Button.

Soon after, Sears battled with Odubajo after a ball had been played through the middle, the Town striker eventually fouling the defender, then the ex-Leyton Orient man did well to get back to dispossess the Blues frontman after he had been played in on the left.

Town boss McCarthy made a double substitution in the 64th minute with Chaplow and Sears replaced by Teddy Bishop and Chris Wood. The decision to replace the lively Sears was met with a chorus of boos from the Blues support.

Gerken saved Pritchard’s 25-yard freekick after Town had made their change but the visitors had threatened rarely since the break with the Blues having had more than enough chances to restore their lead.

Town had another excellent opportunity to score soon afterwards when Murphy was sent through on goal by Mings’s long ball but keeper Button saved with his left hand. Seconds later, Wood was flagged offside when in behind the Bees’ backline when he seemed to have timed his run correctly.

Murphy hit a low shot from the right of the area as the Blues kept up the pressure, then at the other end Gray hit a looping effort straight at Gerken after seizing on a Town error.

The chances continued to come and Wood should have netted his first goal for the Blues in the 76th minute, the New Zealand international nodding Bishop’s right-wing cross wide at the near post.

With nine minutes left on the clock Toumani Diagouraga was booked for pulling back Wood, prior to Town having another chance to go back in front. Bishop found himself space inside the area and hit a shot which Button saved.

Parr was yellow-carded for a foul, then Odubajo joined him in the book for a foul on the Norwegian.

Brentford carved out a rare second-half chance in the final minute of scheduled time when Pritchard was fed inside the area but Smith got a cross superbly to block.

Town continued to push for a winner in five minutes of injury time but the goal which would take them back into the play-off zone wouldn’t come.

The points ought to have been sealed well before that in what had been a thoroughly entertaining game, however, with the Blues having failed to convert at least four good second-half chances, Murphy’s miss just after the break the most glaring.

Town remain seventh, a point behind the sixth-placed Bees and five points off the automatic promotion places with a visit to Middlesbrough, who are now fourth, up next Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Chaplow (Bishop 64), Parr, Tabb, Murphy, Sears (Wood 64). Unused: Bialkowski, Clarke, Anderson, Connolly, Varney.

Brentford: Button, Bidwell, Douglas, Odubajo, Dallas, Judge (Jota 67), Gray (Long 75), Diagouraga, Pritchard, Tarkowski, Moore (Dean 71). Unused: Bonham, McCormack, Toral, Smith. Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland). Attendance: 20,132 (Brentford: 1,245).

Photo: Action Images

therein61 added 18:41 - Mar 7 Sitting waiting for my train and wondering how we did not win this one!!!! we had enough chances(and poor old Murph will be watching that go over the bar in his sleep!!) for 3/4 -1 while I will not fault the shift put in I am still gobsmacked that Mick still fields the same unbalanced back4 it is clearly having an unsettling effect on the side as is oh I've got the ball I'll give it to someone and put them under pressure Skuse!! that's all the man does he put's so many defenders in an awkward position it beggars belief!!!! and the only thing they can do is hoof and hope someone gets on it, we are slowly slipping away now after performing so well with a small squad, but we are still 7th and that is a continued improvement on previous seasons, but we need to sort it before it fizzles out over to you Mick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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runaround added 18:49 - Mar 7 Two points dropped in what was an entertaining match. We were by far the better side but missed enough chances to win 2 games. Murphy missed 2 great chances yet Mick takes off Sears who was having a much better game. His stubbornness to make the right selections is going to cost us promotion. Still a point behind with 10 matches left but we now are relying on other teams slipping up as well as us winning. We need to win at Boro to keep up & that will be hard, especially with Mick being happy with a point. Are promotion dreams are fading & wins are needed, everyone else won't keep slipping up too. All very frustrating

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essexboy added 18:52 - Mar 7 Blueboy1981.As our owner is a very,very rich man would you not think if he had invested in a few players in January it would have improved our squad and given us the edge on a few of the clubs in the pack.Instead we have to rely on loan players.Dont get me wrong ME has held the club together but would it not have been in his own interest to invest,and don't go on about FFP rules,most clubs have broken them and at present not many have suffered.

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jas0999 added 18:53 - Mar 7 Disappointing result as we should have won, but equally not a bad performance. We played well at times, but again the midfield lacked that telling pass and didn't look like scoring. That's our downfall. Midfield. It has been for a while. I disagree with some on here, I thought Brentford had more quality and pace than us. Their midfield was better, but overall we edged it and if it hadn't had been for some woeful Murphy finishing would have won. Still, no blame on Murph, without him this season we would have been bottom half of the table.

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blueboy1981 added 18:55 - Mar 7 ......... sobering thought for some:- Had the Carrot Road Clan beaten Wigan in there match prior to today's mauling of Millwall - they would have been SEVEN (7) points ahead of us. A short while back - we were SEVEN (7) points ahead of them, with every chance of going TEN (10) up on them - truth is we've been rubbish ever since, throwing points away wholesale.
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Geoff added 18:56 - Mar 7 Totally agree head1970 you must change the back four,why cannot Mick see this or is he too stubborn to admit he is wrong.The reason we were winning and not conceding stupid goals in November December was he dropped Tommy Smith.
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jimblue93 added 18:56 - Mar 7 Mick's tactics have cost us dear today. Here's why 1) Taking off sears left us with no pace and no option but long ball up to murph and wood. 2) Kepping tabb on set pieces when he either hits the first man or straight into the keepers gloves means we cant even play to our strenghts of having two big strikers. 3) Mick could of went with three up by keeping on sears and bringing on wood for tabb. We should of been gunning for all three points today.

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brittaniaman added 18:56 - Mar 7 One point out of nine for this week !!! Beginning to be a bit of a struggle now ?? Oh for those dizzy days of November and December !!!!!!!!
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blueboy1981 added 19:00 - Mar 7 Essexboy ......... agree with you, but unless the Manager asks for such - I am sure ME is not the sort to interfere with the playing side of the Club, or release the purse strings without request - as indeed MM has indicated previously.
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essexboy added 19:03 - Mar 7 Blueboy1981,do you not think he has asked the owner for funds,why else would he go for loans then.thats my bone of contention.Fair comment,don't you think.
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backwaywhen added 19:08 - Mar 7 On balance of play draw a fair result , having said that , Murphy's miss early second half will never be beaten , it was harder to miss ! Never mind , lets keep going but please Mick change the tactics back to Nov / Dec. COYB
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gorse added 19:12 - Mar 7 Horribly disappointing to not win that BUT it was a game that would have been disastrous to lose and yet we took the game to them (with some style on occasion) which was very encouraging in itself. More opportunities created than recently too, and they were spread around (Bishop, Parr, Berra, Chaplow, Wood). Love watching Sears play and would pick him every week but he didn't come close to scoring all game IIRC (although he showed maturity & creativity). Also pace is one of the big strings on his bow, was tiring so good sub IMO. If Wood had scored etc. I was annoyed after 95 mins but really not a bad result against a very decent, tricky opponent. A great reaction after the last 2 matches, not the end of the world, and we dominated Boro before and can do it again COYB

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blue24 added 19:14 - Mar 7 How people love to moan, mm has worked miracles to get us where we are. The fact we are even challenging for the playoffs is more than any realistic supporter could expect. Why don't people just enjoy it, if we make it great if not come back next year and try again. As for ruining people's Saturday I'd have a look at your life rather than an Ipswich result!!
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bennyitfc added 19:14 - Mar 7 Never usually say this but ONE OF THE WORST REFEREES I HAVE EVER SEEN. Fell for every trick in the book. So weak and never let the game flow.
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theobald1985 added 19:15 - Mar 7 the idea that mick has had no support from the owner and has somehow weaved some magic is the biggest load of rubbish ever.big transfers are and will continue to die out at this level mick has been allowed to bring in player after player of his choosing and decent ones at that,he chooses to play the long ball game and i have said for a long time that fans will only accept that style if it gets us up.at the moment it is failing as it is outdated awful to watch and teams set up to counter it.we are not building anything here mick was a shortterm fix but will never build us into a swansea or southhampton.football has changed but mick is stuck in the past and he has a poor record in the top flight because kick and rush has nor worked for him.football is about goals but he would be happy with 0-0 every game.borinf-negative old fashioned football and i would rather finish 16th and say we had a go and played good football than finish 9th and play hoofball

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oddball added 19:16 - Mar 7 Its all just a little bit disappointing although must stay positive. It seems we are coming up a little bit short, injuries have not helped. Reaching the play offs will be a great achievement and then who knows. Shame injuries to mcg, hyam, hunt bros etc have left the squad disjointed with rushed loans, shame we were flying at one point but defo stuttering now. Still whilst there is hope COYB

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kevtblue added 19:18 - Mar 7 I know that being a town fan isn't easy but I do get disappointed when town fans slag off their own players. It seems we have to have a current whipping boy or boys and at the moment its Tabb and Smith. Both these players had good games today and still fans gave a go at them!!!!! Yes I agree Tabb shouldn't be let anywhere near the corners or free kicks but his general play to didn't deserve critism. Earlier this season it was our own Luke Hyam who got the stick now many of you are saying we need him back funny how things change. We're still not out this yet get behind the boys not winge and moan were still in a great position. CYOB.

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blueboy1981 added 19:23 - Mar 7 essexboy .......... totally agree we should have strengthened at the crucial time - but MM is not an enterprising Manager, we see this all the time with his tactics, substitutions, etc; (again today). He is stubborn, believes in hoofball, and today after taking Sears off (allegedly) told the crowd in his area to F-ck Off - for voicing their displeasure at the substitution. So is he one who would go for the 'strengthening' that would have done the trick - and thus ask for money to be spent ?? Personally, I feel he hasn't obtained the best from the squad of players he has - he continues to play, week after week, square pegs in round holes - we all know who they are - today YET again - and the solution was again today available to him. I still believe flair, creativity, and pace scares the life out of him, in HIS own team. We have some of these players at the Club, but we never see them in the team. Why ? - other than reasons I have mentioned. If I were Evans I would spend - when the best possible use has been made of the entire squad - and that is still to happen. isn't it ??

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blueboy1981 added 19:32 - Mar 7 blue24 ........... you portray the image of someone who doesn't really care, win, lose, or draw, top, middle, or bottom, promotion, relegation, whatever. You'll always be there - maybe we should all look for that simple life. But if so:- Why compete in the first place ???
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Vizslaraner added 19:33 - Mar 7 Mm has done an incredible job since he has been here I agree. What everyone is upset about is his stubbornness to react and change something if it is broke. For all those backing mm look at the bigger picture, five players out of position and substitutions that beggar belief. Sears was the out ball and gives us something different as he plays on the shoulder and is a live wire. I Dnt blame murph as he has been utterly magnificent all season. Wen he went off we had nothing different and wood is rusty. What I can't believe is tabb taking set pieces. One hand up and nothing from it. Chaplows first corner-goal, say no more! Yes tabb did play quite well but get him away from dead balls for Christ sake. Jonny part was immense Nd if he is dropped again it will be disgusting. Mm said on Suffolk gerken is a commanding keeper-utter joke he is awful. In an interview a while back he said the more ppl shout the less likely I am to do it! I'm beginning to feel he won't asmit he has got it wrong. I am not saying I don't want him as manager, I just want him to make the changes needed. When mcgoldrick is back sears will be dropped when he should play all three, just mark my words. So glad we have a least 6 young lads who are the future, but I do fear mm will pick his favourites. Sir Bob gave all the youngsters a go and improved them. I agree that you need to work hard but we are crying out for creativity to just change it up! Please let's put round pegs in round holes otherwise we will b gone from the picture

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prebbs007 added 19:34 - Mar 7 The people saying Tabb is a scapegoat miss the point completely !!! Bart makes couple of mistakes gets dropped. Tabb makes a mistake every time he takes a set piece, not his fault he's cr&p, it's the fault of the manager for letting him take them. In fact it's the fault of the manager for picking him at all with all the errors he makes. Tabb is nowhere near championship standard yet gets picked every week coz he "works hard". I work hard. So what. The job of a midfielder is at some point to create chances for the team. Opta stats Jay Tabb assists this season ???? 2. That us not good enough !!!!!!!! Stick your minus marks on but you have to be blind go say this guy should be in the team. And while Mr stubborn refuses to listen to the vast majority of fans who can see the problems (unbalanced back 4, smith has to be dropped, players out of position , chambers smith bishop tabb parr and lack of midfield creativity) then fans will stay away from matches. MM has never succeeded when it comes to stepping up a level, wolves in premier league, Sunderland same, us from bottom half to top half as he has no plan b and won't listen to the supporters. It has spelled the end of all his managerial reins and it will do the same here. When you go Mick. Take Tabb with you !!!!

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essexboy added 19:37 - Mar 7 Blueboy1981,Very well said,I fully agree with your comments.I'm not a moaner but a realist and have blue blood in my veins,but I will stand by MY views in that you speculate to accumulate and this we have not done in my opinion,but I will not knock MM for he has done a great job in getting this club into the position we are in even it is hoof ball sometimes.COYB?
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TheSelkirk added 19:37 - Mar 7 Actually thought it was a very entertaining game. Should have won - Murphy hat trick was there for the taking. Referee absolute ***** Smith AND Berra looking more than a little shaky now. Parr looked pretty good in midfield Didn't understand the Sears substitution either. Last 20 minutes were the poorest / weakest part of our display when they should have been the strongest. Finally, does anyone else get the distinct impression that some of the more bizarre comments made on here are based on what Mick Mills might have said on the radio commentary rather than from someone who was actually at the game? Sometimes I wonder if we watched the same match....

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OultonBlue97 added 19:42 - Mar 7 Disappointed with the result, we should have won that game we were better than Brentford. I can't understand why McCarthy took off Sears.
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DerryfromBury added 19:52 - Mar 7 Much better performance, that was until Sears was taken off. really can't understand MMc thinking on that one. Surely the right thing to if MMc wanted to give Woods a run out would have been to swap Tab for Woods (not that Tab had a bad game today). The whole pace of the game changed when Wood came on. the threat from our forwards disappeared, strange decision..... but then what do we know. I suppose a point is better than nothing, but I can't help feeling the longer the game went on the 3 points where looking more ours. Parr and Sears have got to be the first 2 names on the team sheet from now on.

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