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

dirtydingusmagee added 19:54 - Mar 7 Well i predicted a draw,hoped to hell for a win.Sadly i think the game is up now,Its bitterly disappointing to see the position and points we had in the bank just melt away,Looking at remaining fixtures,i really cant see us finishing in playoffs now.
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Blue041273 added 20:05 - Mar 7 Can't believe the rubbish on here. This is not a crisis, just a football match we should have won but didn't. If a draw against Brentford is the worst thing in the world I would suggest you do something else with your Saturday afternoons. What gives any of you the right to criticise the players, the management or the owner. They don't conspire to ruin your weekends. It's obviously disappointing; these things happen in football but there are other games coming up. Apart from us not winning it was a better than average game. Get over it please.

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Bobby_Petta added 20:10 - Mar 7 Can someone tell me what has Stewart done wrong? couldn't even make the bench. A Bit pace on the wing and someone that takes on the full back is what our midfield needs. Guess he his to attacking!
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warktheline added 20:34 - Mar 7 14 pts from a possible 36 tells it own story. That said, somehow we remain in contention for a top 6 finish. Really needed to take all 3 pts today, but that now is history. Our next four games, without doubt, are going to define our season. Firstly we need to become hard to beat, 'Parr-gate' has dragged on and on, and that option appears a non starter for McCarthy. I've always known McCarthy to be stubborn and unbending, and it could be argued these characteristics have served him well at Ipswich, and in the past, but I have a nagging feeling this time round, it could prove to be his Achilles Heel. For me, we have now come to a cross roads....prior to this blip, that has now turned into a rut, I fancied us for automatic promotion, or if play off, backed us against any Championship team over 2 legs, not so now, at present do any of us believe we could turn over the likes of Watford or Derby, in the playoffs? Unless we return to the old format of giving nothing away, and out working the opposition, then my hopes will continue to dwindle. That is way forward with these players, and that is the way McCarthy set them up to play, like it or lump it! For me....it all has to start with 'Parr-gate'.

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StowTractorBoy added 20:43 - Mar 7 Like others I am amazed at some of the negative comments on here. We played well today and had we won as we should have done this board would undoubtedly be a lot quieter. We are all frustrated that we did not win but it is very fine margins in this league and on another day we would have won comfortably. We are miraculously where we are because of MM yet he still gets slated on here. Be very careful what you wish for as not many Managers on the budget we have will have got us this far. If we don't make it this season MM will let a few go and bring in some new blood and that will improve the squad further. The Club is in a good order academy wise now and have good youngsters coming through. I still think we will need 76-78 points to make the play offs so we must win our home games and pick up the odd away point. Will have nightmares tonight about Murphys miss but as I say its fine lines.

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NoelTheDub added 20:50 - Mar 7 Not to bothered about this result as I thought they would be a good side that play football.Yes we should have won but again and not for the first time Micks decisions on our starting 11 and during the game makes no sense at all.Taking Sears off and at the same time bringing on Bishop the player that can actually create something for our forwards what brain comes up with that one Iv no idea.Mick makes changes as required but not the right ones Tabb still playing 90min is beyond a joke now,Luke does a brave job but is clearly not comfortable,Teddy is a central midfielder only, but is put out wide.We are on a bad run which can happen to the best of teams but the same issues are smacking Mick in the face.Bishop was a breath of fresh air when he came on and he brings a positive aspect to out team and must start every game but have me doubts.Clearly we need 3 up top with Bish in the mid Parr and Stewart deserves a run nothing to lose now but I believe Mick wont change.

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head1970 added 20:51 - Mar 7 @BLUE041273 What gives us the right if you didn't know I will tell you . 1.We buy the tickets 2.The shirts 3.The programmes 4.The wages I don't go to games to moan or criticise but when its just then ok MM has got it wrong with team choice of late and needs to be told.
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sheepy606 added 20:52 - Mar 7 Hey guys - don't often post but wanted to put my two cents in on today, and my (just my) thoughts from a wider perspective. We played as well as would have hoped today. Up against a team that were comfortable moving the ball around, we played a style of football that, while not always exciting, is absolutely the best chance we have to get points on the board. There's a reason that even the Goliath's of football can't guarantee their (naive) owners titles - and that's because pretty football played by world class players simply doesn't always work. Teams that play ugly, attritional football always have a chance of getting results against teams that are far superior on paper. And while I really do hate watching us playing an ugly, attritional style of football - it's the sole reason that we've gone from struggling near the relegation zone, to challenging for the playoff for a third of the season, and top 2 for another third. And let's be honest, while most of us are still moaning - it's more fun moaning about falling out of the play-off positions that it is about dropping into the bottom 3... I'm not agreeing with everything Mick does - personally, the idea of the two DMs, Sears, Bishop, Stewart, Mings etc in a 4-3-3 / 5-3-2 excites me - He's done an unbelievable, genuinely unbelievable, job over the last couple of years. And for those talking about Evans, investing in players etc, just have a proper read through our account (links below)...they're awful. Truly. We're in no position to spend to promote, we need a savvy management creating a real team of players that constantly punch above their weight...like the one we have. http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/ipswich-town-financial-highlights-2013-14-213 http://www.itfc.co.uk/documents/ipswichtown-plc-annual-report-and-accounts-30-ju

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blueboy1981 added 20:53 - Mar 7 warltheline .......... have to say, spot on post - nailed it all in one.
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patthegimp added 20:53 - Mar 7 What is the problem with McG? It all seems very quiet. At a time when we really need his guile there is really no information from those who should know. A bit odd really. MM has suggested he will be OK for M/borough but the silence is deafening.
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blueboy1981 added 20:54 - Mar 7 ..... not sure how the ' l ' replaced the ' k ' ....... sorry bud.
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Kesblue66 added 20:56 - Mar 7 Bobby Petta.MM says he doesnt play his wingers because they havent shown him enough.Of course they havent,he never b......well plays them.The last manager we had to play exciting.entertaining.attacking football was Joe Royle,something you never see under MM.Pity he had no money to spend.l
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PJH added 21:06 - Mar 7 Good game and good performance. As one or two have said, all four midfielders had good games. Murph will win player of the year by a mile but his penalty on wednesday and three missed chances today have led to dropping of 3 points. Nobody at the top is consistant and although we have been dropping points we are still very much involved. My next major decision is whether it is worth going to bed friday night before very early start for Middllesbro on saturday. COYB

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Cakeman added 21:08 - Mar 7 Sad predictable failure after a promising opening 15 minutes or so. Once again our midfield was totally inept with Diagouraga for the visitors running the show. I won't add to the many comments regarding the subbing of Sears other than to say that for me that signalled intent that we would not be pushing for a winner. What really hurts is that a season that promised so much has gone horribly wrong in a such a short space of time. We have certainly picked a wrong time to gonoff the boil.

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gamezone added 21:09 - Mar 7 @Official_ITFC: Superb defending from Tommy Smith- races over to cut out a shot from Pritchard after the midfielder ran through the middle #itfc (1-1) Fickle ITFC Fans, it would have been 2-1, no wondering MM lost it, one minute his a hero next his useless!
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head1970 added 21:27 - Mar 7 @gamezone What about when BERRA went to clear a simple header and SMITH decided he wanted it and headed it straight to the Brentford forward centre of goal and if it wasn't for a rushed effort when he had time it would have been 1-2 useless.
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:58 - Mar 7 i dont like to be negative,however the people having a go at negative posts today need to step back a bit. We are on the run in now for this season if you are looking to be in playoffs or fighting relegation at this stage,dropping points at home is BAD news.Take a look at the fixtures remaining,! sorry folks it dosnt get any easier,and we are off the pace .
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warktheline added 22:11 - Mar 7 Blueboy, what are you playing at? Agreeing with me! The Boro game is massive, for both sides....please check Boro's next handful of games. Without doubt, there are to be many twists and turns through March. The worry for us of course is the points cushion, although not huge, but significant, the top five have over us, which leaves reduced room for error. With all due respect, Brentford are probably the least fancied team in top 6, and as such, I believe the Boro game will give us a yardstick for remainder of season. Many will hate me for saying this, but I think it's time to start grinding out results, regardless of fans opinions. It served us well in the past, and upset many teams we played...opposition managers will testify to that! We've been underdogs all season, at the very least, these lads deserve a shot at the promised land! McCarthy needs to play to our strengths, something he should know, more than most!

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IpswichTilliDie1978 added 22:12 - Mar 7 Brentford are a good side its not like we have drawn to a team fighting to stay in the league. Lets not forget we haven't got the biggest squad in the world and now is when we need to be getting behind the time as they need to be digging deep for results. We have got a very tough month and another huge game against Middlesbrough next Saturday. It's not over yet still only one point of top 6 and I can guarantee that the teams in the top 6 at the moment will also drop points before the season is over.

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blues1 added 22:37 - Mar 7 essexboy. thereason most clubs who have flouted the ffp this year have yet to be punished is that the accounts for this season have yet to be submitted. once they are the clubs will find themselves with fines and transfer embargoes as forest and others have already for last years accounts. qpr also in trouble at end of this season too.while I can understand why people would like us to flout it too, I also understand why me has decided to stick to the ffp. lets remember, he gave 3 managers in a row £12m to spend and it got us nowhere. as it is, he is still putting as much as he is allowed under the ffp(£3m this season) into the club, plus the shirt sponsorship through one of his other companies. while I cant prove it I was told on good authority today that mm had £3m available to him in January so could have signed players if hed wanted to(presumably either the cresswell money or the evans investment for this season). as far as today is concerned, of course we're all frustrated at dropping 2 points. but the performance was better than of late. mms substitutions a bit of a mystery tho(not for the 1st time). and his reluctance to change the defence or to use ne of the wingers at the club is a constant frustration to most if not all of us I think. do have to add, that I find it ridiculous that people can constantly criticise tabb, but people saying that murphy cant be criticised for his inability to finish gilt edged chances, purely because hes had a great season. the fact is, with his penalty miss on wed and the 3 chances he spurned 2nd half today, particularly the 1st one which frankly a sunday league player could have put away, he has cost us 3 points in the last 2 games. criticising him for that doesn't mean im saying hes crap. hes been brilliant this season. but doesn't mean he cant be criticised when he does cock up. nemore than if u had agreat week at work this week but a crap one next week ur boss wouldn't have a go at you for the bad one just because u were great last week.

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blues1 added 22:51 - Mar 7 and before ne1 has a dig at me for that, im just making a point. god knows where wed be now if it wasn't for murphs. just saying no1 is immune from criticism just because of their performance in previous games/ this storyis about todays game, nothing else. and thats why ive reacted to the constant criticism of tabb, who was one of the best players out there today. maybe because he was playing in his correct position for a change. and yes, I accept one or 2 of his set pieces weren't the best but that wasn't hat cost us the 2 dropped points today.

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GiveusaWave added 00:13 - Mar 8 We need to see this in the light of what it is. We have had a great season with the squad of players we have (very lightweight squad) and we have been punching way above our weight for a long time now. Given our players, MM and TC have performed miracles. They have galvanised a bunch of players who have either failed badly at a number of different clubs or alternatively have been playing non-league football and turned them into a top 10 side. We don't have any money to spend on any decent midfielders so MM has brought in a number of battlers who can win back the ball and work hard. We use hoofball tactics as it's the only way we are going to come close to winning. If we passed the ball every week we would be rock bottom of the league. I for one am proud of the fact that a squad like that can actually achieve a top 10 place. Miracles truly can happen. Next game: Gerken chambers, Smith, berra, Mings Anderson, Skuse, Tabb, Parr, Chaplow Wood (murphy needs a rest and that's fairly obvious)

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GiveusaWave added 00:17 - Mar 8 And for those that think we didn't invest in the Jan transfer window? What about Chaplow? Paddy Kenny? Luke Varney? Connolly? Chris Wood? We haven't got the financial clout of Derby, Boro, Norwich etc.
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blue24 added 00:20 - Mar 8 Blueboy1981....it certainly not that I don't care I love itfc and hate those f&£ks up the road as much if not more than most but I'm also realistic. Modern football is sadly mainly although not completely controlled by budgets. We can't compete either to sign or pay players with many of our rivals in this league thus really we shouldn't be competing. Thankfully we are so all I was saying is maybe people could moan a little less and look on the brighter side of life, with 2months to go we may well make the playoffs every game and every point matters just enjoy it and your Saturday night x

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Toronto_Tractor added 01:29 - Mar 8 Regardless of the result, we are PAINFUL to watch almost every week. That includes games we've won. Particularly mill wall away was simply shocking. Today we created our best chances from punts down fields. should have won, but I think I'll stick to radio rather than video streams! COYB... Please? Pretty please?
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